How Brenda Seaver Quit
Brenda Seaver of Materials Management, the Surgical Services Division, reached adulthood at 21 and picked up a habit she wish she hadn't. But she's been smoking a pack a day for more than 30 years - until now.
"I'm an adult, and I know what I'm doing," says Brenda, "but deep down inside I knew I was wrong. You know what the hospital rules are, and you're around patients and visitors, and I felt guilty standing on the sidewalk in front of the hospital. But they had a hold on me. I just couldn't put them down."
"Then back in August 2009, one of the guys I work with said, 'Guess what I'm doing?' Brenda had heard about the drug Chantix, but wasn't very familiar with it.
"I knew he's smoked even longer than I had," said Brenda. "I knew if he could do it, I could do it."
Until then, Brenda hadn't been too interested in quitting, but a little summer cold had gone straight to her lungs and she was feeling bad.
"I was so disgusted at how bad I was feeling all the time. I felt like this was the time to quit smoking for good." She was ready to make a real commitment.
"I picked up the phone and called the Nicotine Dependence Program and spoke to Donna Borowski.
"All the girls at Nicotine Dependence are great," says Brenda. "They've smoked too, so they knew what I was feeling. It's one thing for someone to tell you to quit, but it helps and inspires you coming from them."
Brenda received a prescription for Chantix and was able to quit after about a month.
"I smoked my last cigarette the day before my 30th wedding anniversary," said Brenda. "I've had no cigarettes from that day on. I knew I could make it from that point." She has been smoke free for over a year. "I know I can make it now."
"I don't even really want one now," says Brenda. The folks at Nicotine Dependence can help you learn to handle your stress and turn around a craving by doing something else. I drink more water now, and I'm sleeping better.
"If you can't take Chantix, they have so many more things that you can try to help you quit. A lot of people don't realize what products there are to be able to quit this. If you smoke, you owe it to yourself to at least think about it. The Nicotine Dependence folks are not in judgment of you. They're there to help you."
"If you only knew how much better you will feel," she marveled. "You get your taste back, your sense of smell back. I can even taste chocolate for the first time in 30 years.
"Make the decision within yourself to do it."
"Brenda never believed that she could quit," says Donna. "She always leaves me messages about her new discoveries after quitting. She worked hard and still does to maintain her quit. She used the right medication, support and the Nicotine Dependence Program to help her be successful. She keeps in touch with me and will continue to do so.
"I have been blessed by getting to work with the employees. We are excited that we have this program to offer our employees" says Donna.
Is it your time to quit? Call us today to learn how we can help you quit tobacco.
Fern Webb: 828-213-5525
Donna Borowski: 828-213-5527
Mary Walker: 828-213-5528
Learn more about our Nicotine Dependence program.
