***** SMOKERS PLEASE READ *****

Hi,

I apologise firstly if this is the wrong place for this but i feel it in my heart to share this.....

I spent two hours with my mother of 78 yesterday, as she lay in her bed in frail care in Johannesburg gasping for breath despite the oxygen that she receives 27/7, she went from a beautiful strong woman who used to train my brother and i for swimming as we both swam and played water polo for Rhodesia .

She then went on to teach children for many years to swim...

She was a very happy care free lady that used to smoke +/- 30 a day, not that the quantity is an issue, She is now this frail skeleton with skin and bone and poop*@l alone.....

She was diagnosed with Emphysema 3 years ago..... effectively a death sentance as there in no cure, i do not think she will make Xmas this year....

Please, please any smokers, take heed to this, once you are diagnosed it is too late...

Maybe you will never get it, by maybe you will...

It is with a heavy heart that i write this, but felt i must...

Les.. Sorry to hear about your mom, and thanks for sharing.
Hold her hand and smile with her as much as you can.

Yes. This is a very touchy topic. My father smoked heavy for most of his life from age 15. At 46 het did a medical for a insurance purposes. At that stage after smoking for roughly 30 years, 1% of his lungs were already completely destroyed.

This prompted him to stop smoking immediately, but to late as the damage done to his lungs caught up with him 25 years later in his mid 60'st. He died an early death 2 weeks before his 71st birthday of emphysema.

I cannot for the life of me understand why anybody would want to start smoking and keep on doing it as there is no benefit in it.

Les,Thank you for sharing this with us.
All that I can say is"Enjoy her and spend time with her"
Our Prayers are with you.

Thanks ans sorry Bear Will pray and be thinking of you and the family

My prayers join theirs. I smoked for many years but thankfully gave up 20 years ago. I stopped before my lungs could be damaged. I too have seen the ravages of emphysema. As has been said. Hold her and love her, that is all that you can do.

Thank you you all for your prayers, it is much appreciated, thank you....