crawling out of the Abyss o' Phlegm, clutching kleenex...

[katallison]

Of the good: Fever broke last night, and today I was actually able to sit upright, go to work, and in general do something besides huddle under the comforter in endless hours of restless sweaty fever-dreams.

Of the bad: Nothing gives you that "Welcome back!" feeling like arriving at the office, shaky and wheezing, to find seventeen voicemails, uncounted e-mails, and great stacks of memoranda, all of which should have been dealt with two or three days ago. Also, I miss my endless hours of fever-dreams, which were far more interesting than anything that's going on at work.

Of the good: Still have not touched a cigarette since Sunday night.

Of the bad: You know something I forgot? I forgot that nicotine is a really effective appetite suppressant, and had figured that my general diminution of appetite over the past few years was just due to age or something. But now that I'm not smoking, I'm, like -- rrRRAAARRRHHHhhh!! HUNGRY!! rrRRAAARRRHHHhhh!! -- all the freakin' time. And since few things bore me more than the need to feed myself at regular intervals, this is a massive drag.

Of the good: The fact that I am still sore-throated and coughing like a bastard makes me less inclined to want to sneak out and buy a pack of smokes.

Of the bad: But I can tell, just from whipping out this silly LJ entry, that trying to write without smoking is going to be ... well, a challenge. :: twitch. twitch. ::

And thank you very much to all the kind and lovely folks who sent me get-well wishes; I would have acknowledged you all individually if I were a decent person, or had, y'know, been able to sit upright and type actual words. But I send you grateful smooches.

Comments

[amand-r.livejournal.com]

As a recent non smoker, I will tell you that the worst part of it all is that you have nothing to do with your hands. I quilted so much in the first three weeks, I wore the skin from my thumb from pushing the needle through the material.

[laurashapiro.livejournal.com]

So glad you're on the mend! Wish I had something remotely helpful to say about the smoking thing. Um...supportive weebling! In a totally non-judgmental way! (:

May it get easier.

[shayheyred.livejournal.com]

And of the Very Big Good, the fact that you've stopped smoking despite the massive forces lining up against you in this undertaking. For my friends who stopped smoking, the biggest issue was, and continues to bem the loss of the familiar activity of smoking when it was combined with other activities - such as smoking while on the phone. Most of them have fought the battle and won, and I send my strength and theirs, to you.

As for me, I never really smoked. My motto is, why put it in your mouth if you can't eat it? Which goes a long way to explaining my hips and my other, er, oral fixations.

[twistedchick]

Find something you like to play with with your hands. A set of Greek worry beads. An odd toy. Anything. It may help.

And hurray for feeling better otherwise.

[jaymalea]

A couple of things that helped when I quit smoking.

1. stay away from citrus products and Vitamin C. The Vit C leaches the tar and nicotine from your system too quickly. You want to ease off of it, not jump from a cliff.

2. try Calcium and Magnesium supplements. they help calm your muscles when you're antsy.

3. I used Tootsie Pops for the oral/hand held cravings, and the "I'm hungries". They're not *too* bad as an addition to your diet.

[imkalena.livejournal.com]

Here's a nonsmoking Paul for your viewing pleasure.*g* He quit for Hamlet. It must have been a bitch -- the guy must have smoked like a chimney.

Best wishes, Brave One!

[jackiekjono.livejournal.com]

Just don't forget to take a few moments to register for Vividcon. It won't be any fun without you.

[ardent-muses.livejournal.com]

Sending supportive vibes, and also huge kudos.

I hope you feel better soon. :)

[oracne.livejournal.com]

Of the good: Still have not touched a cigarette since Sunday night.

Way to go!

I've heard people say they've used peppermints for cravings. Or, if you like sour things, have you tried Altoids Citrus Sours? They're small, but intensely flavored, and might help.