Hi julie,

Please don't think you don't deserve any support, people from all walks of life take risks everyday, Take mountain climbers, they expect emergency services to risk their lives when they get stuck up a mountain to save them, I know the scenario is different but the principle is the same, we don't live in an ideal world, we all take risks one way or another, so live your life the way you want to live it, I hope all these messages of support makes you feel a bit better,

Lynn x

julie,

my uncle had stomach cancer, never smoked never drank.

my father has oesphagus cancer, hes smoked heavily and drank for the last 40 odd years.

truth is, no1 knows where life leads, and if having a *** and a crafty glass of wine brings u even the smallest enjoyment then u do it.

ill quite happily sit and have a drink with my dad, hes got cancer and fact is stopping smoking and drinking now is not going 2 make the tumour magically dissapear.

so enjoy what u have and whatever will be will be

Hi Julie,

Does it make you feel better to get it out in the open....I hope so. Personally and I can tell by the responses that everyone agrees that you deserve our support whatever the situation...I faced my cancer thinking that as I was overweight, ate too much red meat and drank too much then the cancer was self inflicted. It took my good friend Dizzy to snap me out of it as I was very low at the time...

I am glad that you have brought up the subject as it clears some thoughts in your head and creates a topic for discussion - there will be for sure others out there thinking exactly what you are thinking.

We love you dearly Julie and will support you whatever the situation, you deserve our friendship!

Much Love

Tony xxxx

Oh my goodness everyone. What can I say but that I love you all so much. Yes Tony it does feel good to get it off my chest and to hear all the responses.  It actually felt like a taboo subject on here and from a health/medical point of view, it is poor show that I am continuing to be bad to my body and I will keep trying to be kinder to myself physically and emotionally. I'm so glad the topic was recieved well here and I hope that it encourages us all to be open and know that we will continue to support one another. Thank you all again. Julie xxxxx

Hi Julie,

I used to smoke,so I know what its like & have even said to my husband if the cancer is going to finish me off I may as well go happy & start puffing again, but after much thought I thought to hell with that I don`t need it.

Its your choice to do what you want why should other people make judgements on others ,of course we know it`s bad for us but hey let them who is without sin cast the first stone(no I`m no bible basher).

You`ll always be welcome on here no matter what,keep posting.

Love & Hugs Kathryn xx

Hi Julie,

Everyone deserves support. Sometimes we don't get it, or feel that we don't deserve it but none of us is perfect and we do. Yes we have to take responsibility for our own health but although there are clear links between some lifestyle choices and some cancers it's not a given that they will cause them or we probably wouldn't make those choices.. And lots of other lifestyle choices have other inherent risks... driving cars for instance, diy and all manner of apparently quite healthy sports!

I smoked and drank lightly on and off for years but have been blessed with a non addictive nature so have never had a problem not doing so either. Sometimes once in a while of an evening I still have a few puffs or a few sips...literally. That's all I want, but I do find it a comfort and I don't have much comfort or a great deal of opportunity to do as I please any more so, you know, if anyone wants to condemn they can but they should walk  mille in my shoes before they do.

Hope you get your ENT appointment soon and nothing's wrong

Angelinthemaking (but still a bit of a devil sometimes!)

hi

    you do need all the support. my mum passed away with lung cancer caused by smoking. when we found out it woz too late. she gave up smoking. a few days later she said she need a smoke. i told her to have 1 cause the damage is done. i stopped smoking myself. but when they told me the end 4 mum woz only days. i said if some1 dont give me a smoke i going to hit that doc lol. thank god some1 had some on them. i will pack in again. but mum woz doing what she like to the end. she never drank tho. you do what makes you feel better. i think no 1 is put on this earth to judge so should not be judged by others xxxx

Thank you for your continued responses. Do you know what is so bad, is that I am a trained nurse! I recruit them now and so don't actually have clinical skills anymore, but even so... how bad is that?! I  Everyone here are all incredibly kind and non judgemental and that's so good to hear, but I know it doesn't exonerate me. Let's face it, having/had cancer and smoking doesn't actually endear one to the person! It's like being pregnant and smoking - just not on. I remember seeing this documentary about someone with throat cancer I think and they had this tracheotomy to help them, and (this is bad!), were actually smoking a cigarette through the tracheostomy! OMG. I actually don't think my bowel cancer was due to smoking as I have a family history, but even so, not good. I guess just wanted a kindred spirit to come on and say they do too to make me feel better! This new throat cancer scare has set me off and made me smoke even more. So stupid. Anyway just want to keep the thread going and welcome anyone with views. Love Julie xxx

hi julie

we all need support,its just some need more than others,and i myself could still have a cigarette even after years without one,so don`t give yourself such a hard time,as marion said,moderation is the key,so take care.

  jeff x