The final push that got me vaping...

[Silent Knight]

After a long battle that included radiation...then surgery to have his voice box removed - my boss (and close personal friend) passed away from lung cancer on Sept. 20th/2013. He had been a 2-pack/day smoker for most of his 74 years.

Aside from being a really great guy and boss, he was a mentor...like a second father to me for the last 10 years we worked together. Despite our age differences (I'm 50), he and his wife often socialized with my wife and I.

Watching my boss and friend go through the final stages of cancer tore me up inside. It was an extremely difficult time.

After he passed, he became the inspiration to finally kick the cigarettes after 35 years. After seeing one of my co-workers using an e-cig...I began asking a few questions and started doing some research online.

Having tried several unsuccessful times in the past to quit (the longest being 3 months)...I figured vaping would be the ticket.
A few weeks later my wife and I drove over to Niagara Falls, NY and picked out an innokin iTaste vv 3.0.

I quit smoking the same day.

Tony - these last five smoke-free weeks are part of your legacy, my friend.

Miss you.

 

[erikbal]

Really sorry to hear about your boss. I'm sure he'd be proud of you for quitting. It's not an easy thing to do, but you couldn't find a better place to be than here. I wish you the best of luck, keep up the good work!

Sent from my DROID4 using Tapatalk

 

[Iffy]

WOW, can't get more powerful than your post!

Ya came to da right place for support and to give your testimony.

Best wishes on your continued vaping success!!!

 

[Chas F.]

After a long battle that included radiation...then surgery to have his voice box removed - my boss (and close personal friend) passed away from lung cancer on Sept. 20th/2013. He had been a 2-pack/day smoker for most of his 74 years.

Aside from being a really great guy and boss, he was a mentor...like a second father to me for the last 10 years we worked together. Despite our age differences (I'm 50), he and his wife often socialized with my wife and I.

Watching my boss and friend go through the final stages of cancer tore me up inside. It was an extremely difficult time.

After he passed, he became the inspiration to finally kick the cigarettes after 35 years. After seeing one of my co-workers using an e-cig...I began asking a few questions and started doing some research online.

Having tried several unsuccessful times in the past to quit (the longest being 3 months)...I figured vaping would be the ticket.
A few weeks later my wife and I drove over to Niagara Falls, NY and picked out an Innokin iTaste vv 3.0.

I quit smoking the same day.

Tony - these last five smoke-free weeks are part of your legacy, my friend.

Miss you.

You have my sympathy for losing your friend and mentor.

Welcome to ECF and I hope you kick your boots up and stay a while. I smoked for >35 yrs and was only able to remain tobacco free using an e-cig.

 

[Ryan1888]

What a touching story indeed.
Posts like these always pull on my heart strings as it could easily have happened to any of us here on ECF today, had we not made the switch to dramatically reduce our odds

 

[AmandaD]

I'm sorry that was your final push - what a sad story. But you're in the right place! I was also able to kick my pad 38-year habit after my first, convenience store ecig. Welcome to a wonderful forum!

 

[freeatlast!]

Hi, Silent Knight, congrats on your 5 weeks, and on making the decision to switch. It's a hard decision to make, especially when you figure it's going to be real uncomfortable and that you're probably going to fail anyway....enter the ecig!! Which works, if you get the right kind.

So sorry about your boss and friend. I know how that is, having watched several others (including most recently close friend and sis-in-law) pay the ultimate price in the last decade or so. Others (including my DH as well as his brother) got by with just losing part of a lung and having COPD, etc.

The lowly eGo got me right off a 47 year habit, to my surprise, great relief, and overwhelming joy! Finally free!

My best to you and your wife! Enjoy!

 

[vonhogslayer]

May your friend rip. Hang in there brotha

 

[Tinkiegrrl]

It must have been awful. I'm so sorry for your loss. I recently just watched my grandmother die of cancer that spread to her brain. She smoked for around 50 years. She was such a sharp woman. Known for her sarcastic humor, and no nonsense bluntness. That last month, she lost everything. She lost her speech, she lost the ability to do basic things for herself. She even forgot she needed a glass to pour water into. My mother went to live with her for that final month. All of us grandchildren stayed for a week or so, right before she forgot my mothers, and presumably our names. She died at home in SC, and per her final wishes, my mother had her cremated and brought her back to NY for a funeral service.

Funeral was on Nov 9th, and that was the day my mother handed me my first ego style vape. I was skeptical, having tried my friends cigalikes, but considering the circumstances I had to promise to try it, and not dismiss it so fast. That night, when I got home, I could have smoked an entire pack in a few hours with the emotional state I was in. I only smoked one. Vaped the rest of the night, and to my surprise I was fine. Been almost 2 months now, smoke free.

 

[TyPie]

So sorry for your loss. I have wondered out loud many times about the addictive power of cigarettes, and why it takes us to witness the loss of our loved ones.
May the memory of your friend and mentor be a constant reminder and source of motivation for you.

 

[Silent Knight]

I'd just like to say a big heartfelt thanks to each and everyone of you in the thread for the kind words and personal anecdotes.

Have to admit I had a difficult time writing the OP - his passing is still an unhealed wound for me. But I wanted to share the story with the hopes it would be similiarly inspirational or helpful to someone teetering on the decision to quit cigs in favour of vaping.

'preciate all who took the time to reply.

 

[vonhogslayer]

Try to celebrate his life,it will get better!

 

[Coldrake]

My sincere sympathies for your loss.

I quit smoking the same day.

Me too, after over 40 years smoking. Pretty astounding isn't it?

 

[nobreak1970]

Welcome to ECF....a very powerful story sir!
This is the best site for support and information, and friendship.

 

[DetraMental]

What a great tribute to your friend and mentor Silent Knight. I'm sure he'd be very happy with you choice. Congrats on your 5 weeks smoke free. I wish you the best and if you have any questions please do not hesitate to post them here. Thank you for sharing

 

[koi2]

Hope you find a lot of friends and mentors here on ECF

 

[Mark Anthony]

Sorry for the loss of your friend.... It's a great motivation for you to do it for yourself most importantly, and in his honor.