Tobacco Bill

[bare_bear]

This is an interesting article.  www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSTRE5975GD20091008

A few years ago, my Dad passed away at age 46 from cancer.  Specifically, lung and throat cancer.  He also had skin cancer, which I'm now battling myself, but that didn't contribute to his death.  He had, however, been a smoker since age 12.  Twelve. 

When my Dad was in his early 30's, he'd had total kidney failure and after his kidney transplant, he was on anti-rejection medication.  His doctors told him to quit smoking and drinking, because his body wasn't up to fighting off the damage those vices caused. 

He never did. 

In , he was eventually (after several mis-diagnosis and indifference from several "specialists", but that's a rant for another day) diagnosed with throat cancer.  Soon after, he had his larynx removed, and he was reduced to breathing through a hole in his throat and speaking using an electrolarynx.  This operation forced him to quit smoking, cold turkey.  Let me tell you, that wasn't fun to live with.  Still, he was optimistic, and determined to live his life.  Even figured he'd rig up some breathing aparatus so that he could go back into the mines to do his industrial electrical work.  He fought.  And, according to my Mom, he didn't give up until nearly the end.

On March 8, 2006, he finally gave up the fight.  Cancer won.

But I'm proud of his strength and determination, and sheer stubbornness.  He put up a good fight. 
 

I'm so happy to see that this Tobacco Bill has gone through.  Even after watching what Dad went through, I'd never lecture anyone about their choices.  But this will, hopefully, help keep kids from starting smoking.  Because once people start, some never stop until it's way too late.