Went to the Doc. today... :\

[Mr 5 0]

Topless:

I'm sorry to learn of your health complications.

Private medical insurance is expensive but you might consider a policy that only covers big expenses, like hospital stays and/or surgery. It won't pay for doctor visits or prescriptions but it can keep you from going bankrupt and losing your home should you be seriously injured or come down with an illness that requires surgery and hospitalization. Things can happen and it's not a good idea to be uninsured in this day of obscene hospital charges and high doctors fees.

Heres a link to a health insurance search that may help get you started.

https://www.ehealthinsurance.com/ehi...allid=GOT17810

As for quitting smoking, thats a no-brainer, Christine. You have a daughter that depends on you and will for many years. You owe it to her to quit. It's not easy but millions have done it so it's not impossible, either. Motivation is the key. Make your daughter your motivation and stop thinking about how hard it is for you. You're flirting with serious, terminal illness over some cigarettes and a lack of will power. Cigarettes aren't worth it and of course you already know that.

As for losing weight; think about this: you gained the extra (15) pounds while smoking steadily so why would not smoking make that big a difference? Smoking didn't replace eating for you and not smoking won't automatically make you eat more if you watch what you eat and avoid junk food and too-big meals. I quit smoking and didn't gain weight. So can you.

Start cutting down now and count your daily cigarette consumption, going one lower every few days. Don't go cold turkey. Save your cigareete smoking for when you really enjoy it; after morning coffee, after meals, before bed, whatever. Don't 'waste' your smoking on puffing thoughtlessly while on the computer or driving, space out the smokes and enjoy them, but steadily cut down the number. I did this and quit a long-time smoking habit in 5 days. Never looked back and can't imagine why I ever smoked in the first place. You can too.

The nicotine leaves your system in about 72 hours once you stop smoking. The urges are almost all mental after that and can be controlled the same way. By simply not giving in to the habit and the 'urge' to light up, knowing full well how dangerous lighting up is to your health. The urges pass, you start to like not smoking (or needing to light up) and within a few weeks you're smoke-free for good and on your way to better health and saving money wasted on cigarettes - which you can use to buy health insurance, instead!

I don't know much about ankle braces but I found this online store that carries them. Not too expensive at all for what it is. May not help a lot but gives you an idea of what's available and how much it costs.

http://www.smp.ca/smp_059.htm

I wish you well with everything Christine, and you know that we all do. Get serious with quitting smoking, check out the health insurance plans and get the ankle brace as soon as feasible before you do damage there.

I sure hope the next news you receive is positive.