Worthy goal

Worthy goal
Dear editor:
Thank you for the opportunity to respond to an article in the Daily Bulletin dated Feb. 28.
Apparently, a Winnipeg medical doctor is declining to continue to have smokers as his patients. The main reason is that he sees it as a situation with no future.
This doctor is absolutely right! It is a fact that many thousands of people die each year because of tobacco. Officially, of course, the causes are documented as heart attack, stroke, cancer, etc.
Right now, many readers who know me are saying, “What’s wrong with this picture? She smokes!”
Sorry, but the correct word is “smoked.” Past tense.
Now, you’re asking, “How on earth did she manage to quit after so many years?” Quite frankly, something I never thought I could do.
In the fall of 2000, I developed a life-threatening illness, quite unrelated to smoking. In fact, I required three units of blood to help me survive (thank you to the three Type A, Rh Negative donors who shared the gift of life with me).
I was lucky enough to have a very caring, compassionate, but tough doctor who pulled no punches when talking with me during that week I spent recovering in the hospital.
He said, “You must stop smoking or you will, before long, be dead, or worse.” (Dead is the easier way out. Worse is being unable to have any kind of a normal life).
Well, there I was, in the hospital for a week. I couldn’t have smoked, even if I’d wanted to, which I didn’t because I was too sick. So that’s how I became the only patient my doctor has ever had who quit smoking “cold turkey” at Thanksgiving.
The big day was Oct. 5, 2000. So it’s now 17 months since I quit.
Now I’m not saying it was easy. It wasn’t. There have been times when I would have killed—even the doctor—for a cigarette. This still happens once in a long while, but no problem. I’ve won.
Finally, regarding the current campaign in the district to ban smoking in all enclosed public places, I think this is a worthy goal that we should strive for.
No one is saying you can’t smoke, ever, although that would be the best thing. The important thing is that you don’t let you actions adversely affect any one else.
I wish I had quit years ago. I wish I had never started.
Believe me, if I did it, so can you! It’s really a case of mind over matter. If you mind about making things better, it really will matter.
Good luck in your efforts!
Signed,
Shirley A. Russell
Fort Frances, Ont.