An open letter to all

[MisKate]

I am so very sorry for your loss. I lost my mother less than a month ago, and cigarettes surely played a large part in her illness. I just discovered e-cigs very recently, and have gone head-over-heels investing in them. I plan on sharing a lot of my purchases with my loved ones. Hopefully they will grasp that these can be a life-saver and convert. I feel very little need to smoke a real cigarette now. I believe that within days I will be totally smoke-free. Good luck to you.

 

[bzlytbeer]

Chris,

Thank you for sharing your story and feelings. My heart breaks for you and your family. I lost my Grandfather to lung cancer almost 20 years ago, and I still have the memory of seeing my Father break down when it happened. I know that will be me one day when it happens to my Dad. He is a smoker of ?? years. I started when I was 10, and thanks to the e-cig, I have been off traditional cigs for just about 4 weeks now, and really have no thoughts of going back.

Unfortunately, I don't have too much extra cash on hand, but I will buy a kit soon for someone, and donate it in honor of your Parents. I am getting good at modding these things too, so I may just build a few to give away.

I have been on this forum for the past few weeks and it is simply amazing. The number of people, willing to share so much in knowledge, education and emotion is just awesome. To all of us, please keep it up.

Again, Chris, my deepest sympathy goes out to you and yours.

John

 

[RsL]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I've been there before with my father and I'll never stop missing him. God Bless you....

 

[yknotagain]

Sorry to hear about your loss Chris. I hope I am able to convert my wife in time. I bought her a kit, but so far she won't even try it. I too feel it is saving my own life.

 

[MrsJaaxx]

 

[radsmachine]

I too am so sorry for your loss. I recently watched my dad lie in a hospital and chock to death because he couldn't breathe. He smoked for most of his life. Kool full flavors. I've smoked for 25 yrs or so and last week, when I got my e-cig, I quit smoking. I have not had another since. A week later and it even smells like all the non-smokers say it does, anf I feel better than I have in yrs! Thank yo for the story and GOD Bless.

 

[BARENETTED]

Chris,

I am so sorry to hear of your heartache. I will pray for you and your family.

At this time, I have a 42 year old cousin who is an ob-gyn and is battling lung cancer. He never smoked. My boss's wife is 47. She quit 15 years ago, but lung cancer showed up this past November. She was just operated on - 3 weeks ago.

I know about the decision you have to make. We had to make the same decision about our Mom in 2001. She didn't have cancer, but was living with the use of a ventilator, dialysis, IV's and several other devices. I kept thinking - 'she could get better', but that was just my being selfish.

It wasn't fair to her, so we had to let her go.

God will be with you to help you decide.

 

[Kona]

My heartfelt condolences go out to you as well, Chris.

And I thank you for inspiring us all to help out another if we can, by introducing, sharing, supporting them in learning to use and to stay with this amazing, life-saving device...

All the best to you in these tough times...

Aloha,
GP

 

[olderthandirt]

Such losses are never easy.

Thank you for trusting this forum with your trials Chris, there is an incredible amount of the sincerest support here for you and yours.

Later

 

[Kate51]

Chris,
God's Speed to your Mom, and His comfort to you. All of your caring and thoughts for others is going to come back to you, we've all discovered your faith, your warmth, and I know your Mom knew it better than anyone.

 

[VelvetVisions]

Chris,

My sincerest heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to you and your brothers. I lost my Dad to cancer 14 years ago at the tender age of 47. Your words made me tear up, thank you for sharing your experience and I will keep you in my thoughts in this time of need.

 

[Wildsky]

Chris, I'm so sorry for your loss, I lost my mom to cancer when I was a teenager. I understand your pain.

 

[ejfan1977]

Chris,
I am so sorry. I lost my Mother a year and a half ago to lung cancer and I was her caregiver till the end. I know how hard it is and the shock of all of this happening in the past 5 days has to be horrible. Please try to be at peace and know you did your best by getting yourself and your Mother off analogs, if only for a few weeks.

You and your family are in my thoughts tonight... I am wishing you peace for your pained hearts.

Sue

 

[addictionejuice]

I am sorry about your loss Chris.

I plan to give my mothers supplies to someone who can't afford one. Maybe some of you out there have extras and know someone you care about who could use them?

When you find the person you want to donate to, let me know and I will send them a free bottle of juice, their choice on flavor.

 

[Nicfits]

Chris,
I am so very sorry to hear this.
I know what you must be going through. I too have lost both of my parents.
My Heartfelt thoughts and Prayers are with you my friend.

Royal.

 

[wegster]

@Chris/Drunkenmonk
I'm nearly speechless. I'm terribly sorry for your loss. I don't think the right words exist for these situations, but thank you for the heartfelt message, and a reminder to all of us..it may give resolve to those of us still smoking.

 

[ozrick]

Chris,

I can completely empathize with your situation. I lost my mom last year due to COPD after 50+ years of smoking. When she was in the hospital I started smoking again myself after 3 years of being tobacco free. I am glad that you have found kind and helpful people here at ECF and I can only extend my most heart felt condolences at this time.

The strength you describe about your mother has been passed onto you for even in this time of immense pain and confusion you thought of everyone here (complete strangers for that matter).

Thank you for sharing your story and I hope all of us are trying to help those who we know smoke, quit- no matter how they chose to do it.

Mike "ozrick"

PS. If there is anything I can do to help you, PM me. Even if it's just someone to vent to or share some fond memories. I'm honestly sorry I couldn't meet her- she sounds like a wonderful person.

 

[kthomas]

As a breast cancer survivor (diagnosed in 2000) I am so sorry for your loss!

 

[Chuffer]

I'm very sorry for your loss.

Your letter is quite moving, and I agree with Wegster that it may provide a fresh impetus to those of us still hanging on to analogs.

Smokey Joe and the Forum's longtime stalwarts should know the great good they've done and are doing.

 

[calligal]

My heart goes out to you. My mother in law fought the battle of trying to quit smoking and lost every time. It got to the point where she would go into the bathroom to smoke and we would pretend we did not know it. When she died of lung cancer it was quick, painful, and heartbreaking.
I am positive if the e-cig had been available back then that both of us would have been much like you and your mom. As it is, instead we share the sorrow of seeing a loved one leave us. My deepest sympathies.