Smoking Update Wednesday 13 June 2007

The following was posted by me as a comment on my original blog entitled "Smoking", but I know a lot of people didn't see it...

I had an incredible phone call with my mother last night! We were chatting away for half an hour and she was laughing and in an excellent mood through-out the call. She was positively excited about the delivery of the new reclining bed and chair today and full of plans and ideas for the future - I wondered if I had got the wrong number.

She tells me that the swelling in her ankles has gone down, but her feet, calves and knees are still swollen. She had to phone the doctors (without prompting from anyone) to say that she had almost finished the 21 days course of nicotine patches and has arranged for the prescription to be at the chemists today. She tells me she is still lighting a cigarette in the morning and stubs it out after a puff - and it lasts her all day!

She was full of praise for my eldest sister who came round on Tuesday and helped her sort out the 2nd bedroom where she is going to have her old double bed put. I have tried to persuade her to dump it, but she insists she needs it for all sorts of typical illogical reasons. I think she and my eldest sister had a great time together.

I was impressed on how different she sounded - not only was she optimistic and happy but she actually sounded different to. Her breathing was a lot easier, she didn't cough once while we were talking (and remember that as for 30 minutes) and the pitch of her voice has changed - it is higher and as a result she sounds younger - if you don't believe me, then give her a call (she would be delighted to hear from you) and listen for yourself.

She said she was aware the she was coughing less often, but she was still not able to breathe well, and told me she still gets breathless if she has to rush from the living-room to the kitchen.

I will be seeing her for myself on Friday when I will be taking her to hospital and I have offered to go in with her if she has a talk with the consultant (rather than just seeing one of the nurses).

We are moving in the right direction.