I forgot to mention another little tidbit regarding my health

Gene,

I have just read over your past few blogs. I have been on strike from woodworking for the past few weeks. I reached the point of complete and total burnout after building the bunk beds for my boys. I have not even had the initiative to get up and get some pictures to post the final chapter of that blog here.

Anyway, this was not about me. I will be keeping you in my prayers. It looks like you are being put through a lot right now, but one this is for sure. Your attitude is in the right place. So many people would be depressed in your situation. My oldest sister fought cancer for about five years before loosing the fight. Never a day in her life did I see her depresses about it. It makes a lot of difference if you can keep up the good attitude.

Congratulations on quitting smoking. That has to be hard. I never have smoked or drank, so I cannot say from experience, but I have heard it is tough. Hang in there. Maybe your wife will be able to give it up too.

One more thing. I am glad to see that you have your sights focused in the right direction. I think God can do so much for us if we just humble ourselves and ask Him. I will be sure to pray for you and your doctors.

Keep us updated on things,
Rob Hix

-- -- Rob Hix, King George, VA

Hi Gene

Good for you! Both of those things are a hard thing to quite. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.

God bless
tom

-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa

I’m not a smoker but Dad was and my brother as well. Dad didn’t give ‘em up till they removed half of his right lung. My brother kept smoking for twenty more years and didn’t quit till the Doc showed him a spot on the x-ray of his lungs. Alcoholism has plagued my Dad’s side of the family though he was himself a teetotaler. I drink occasionally and puff a fine cigar now and then but I’ve never had to have either of them. Go figure.

I know nicotine and alcohol are like any other drugs that your body gets used to. It can be heck in high water to quit. My prayers are with you and yours. Godspeed.

always,
J.C.

-- "Imagination is more important than knowledge" -- Albert Einstein

Hang in there friend. It will be 40 years ago that I quit smoking, come August. It was a very tough battle for me. Sounds like it is going much better for you. Stay strong!

-- Maplewood, MN

Gene,

Good for you!!! Smoking is a habit that has a long list of devastating health effects in the long term. It is hard to give up since nicotine is such an addictive drug. It creates both a psychological and physical dependence that I admire your ability to simply “put them down”. Well done.

You have my full support and you and your family will be in my prayers.

Many thanks for sharing such a personal side of your life’s story, my friend.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

I quit smoking January 19, 2007. It was the hardest and the best thing I have ever done.

-- Berta in NC

Gene,
I know what you are going thru. Some 7 years ago, I too, quit smoking. But I had some real good motivation, I had a major MI that led to 6 bypasses. I happily show anyone my scar if it will help them quit. Quitting cigs is one of the hardest things a person can do. Be strong, you can do it. Change your routines so smoking isnt thought of. Want a smoke, go for a walk, even if its just around the block.
This is a link for a FREE program called quit keeper. Download it to your computer and enter your info and each day you can see how much you havent smoked, how much money you have saved plus a lot more.
http://www.dedicateddesigns.com/qk/download.htm

Good luck on your quest, you will be glad you did it.
JimB

Gene, you are on the right track for getting yourself on the right road to a miraculous recovery. All things are possible through Christ, who gives us strength. I quit smoking 25 years ago. My wife was praying for me and it was rather painless. Haven’t wanted another smoke since. The Lord delivered me from drinking also. Like I said before, nothing is too big or small for Him. Last Friday, I was working on the second story of my shop roof, and slipped and fell off. I already have a bad back, from a previous injury, and all I had time for was a quick prayer, for the Lord to protect my back. When I hit the ground, it was like sitting in a chair. Nothing hurt, even the next day, I wasn’t sore or stiff. Psalms 91: 11 &12 came to life that day, although I have been reading it constantly for years, while I was in the military. Just stay prayed up. My wife and I will keep sending them up from our end.
God Bless.

-- Tim -- http://tmuli.com

Gene,
My wife and I quite smoking together on July 31 2007, hardest thing I ever did and I am so glad. I feel much better and breath easier. Good luck to you and your wife.

Ron

-- Ron Central, CA

Gene;
Great to hear your on the right track. I used to smoke but never as much as you did, but I think that quiting smoking was an easy thing to do. I NEVER QUIT, I just stopped buying them. I was an over the road long hauler and what I told myself was that if I could make it to a truck stop only when I needed fuel and only buy fuel and go to the bathroom but not buy a pack of smokes I would probably stop smoking. It worked!! I think I probably almost tore my shirt pockets off reaching for one but when I did pull into a truck stop and reached in my pocket to get change for the machine I told myself. You know if you don’t put that money in the machine you won’t get any smokes and if you put that money back in your pocket and toss that change in a can inside the truck and get in gear and get out of here you know you won’t stop until you need fuel you’ll quit that nasty, stikey habbit and be a better person for it. YEAH “YOUR A GOOD BOY” now get out of here. Well Gene it worked and I think now it has been about 30 years now. And you know!! Clown’s shouldn’t have BAD BREATH. And if you think you can, you can. Good luck and Good Health And I bought some woodworking tools with that change. And quit driving after over 3 million accident free miles
“DeptyDawg”

-- DeputyDawg

Way to go Gene. You’re an inspiration to us all. Keep moving and keep that positive attitude.

-- Betsy - GO BUCKS!

thats really good gene, like Betsy said you’re an inspiration. I know a few people who smoke and they have had a really hard time quitting so i know that it must be a hard thing to do. Thanks for the post and i will keep you in my prayers.

Way to go Gene!

My dad did the same thing. One day- after 30 plus years- he just quit smoking.

We are all pulling and praying for you.

Lew

I’ve never smoked or drank. Not one cig. or 1 drink. So I don’t know all of the problems that you’ve had to go through. But, my prayers are with you on your contuining health.

-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com

Gene, I quit drinking in 86, and only smoke a few cigars a day now after smoking 3 packs of Kools a day for 35 years, I know what you’re going through. You, are in my thoughts and prayers. mike

-- Mike. Profisher50@yahoo.com