Almost Clear

Since I came here to join the hubby almost six months ago, I knew one of the things I would have to get used to was the lingering odor of cigarette smoke suffusing the house. But he knew not to do it in my presence... no second-hand smoke, please. It was a little difficult for him not to puff on those sticks since most his friends also have the habit and he was always making excuses as to why he just had to light up. I didn't nag him about it but I would cajole him, once in a while, to at least try and cut down because it wasn't good for his health. He attempted it a few times but the moment someone would blow some smoke his way… goodbye resolution.

Until last March. He decided to take another stab at quitting or, at the very least, cutting down drastically. It was also a good thing that he didn't spend much time with his pals around those times so no temptations, hehe! He even got sick after about a week of being smoke-free… withdrawal symptoms, tsk, tsk. But he managed to get through it, thank God. Occasionally, I knew he would join his friends in a puff or two whenever they went out but I'd merely tease him about it. After one of our housemates went back home last month, he left an unfinished pack of Marlboro lights in his room. The hubby gave the box to me so I could "regulate" his consumption of it. After about 2 weeks, he finally finished off the last two sticks within a day. That same evening, he went out for coffee with his cousin, Kuya Noel, and smoked another two. He wasn't able sleep well that night and experienced palpitations. In the morning, he admitted to me what happened. Evidently, his system was no longer used to that much tar & nicotine. Progress! :o)

He does it only occasionally now and the instances are few and far in between. The compulsion to light up after eating or when going to the loo is gone. I still hope that the hubby will eventually be able to totally rid himself of it… fingers crossed.

Hubby, I'm SO proud of you. :o)