Emphysema - a reason to quit smoking

My mother found out 2 days ago that she has emphysema. Actually, I think she has known it for a while, but it finally hit home when the doctor confirmed it. She has been sick for a long time, yet she continues to smoke. I can't say much about it, because I smoke too.

I suggested to her this morning that we both should try to quit, and she agreed. Tomorrow morning will be the big day that we go cold turkey. I am dreading the prospect of giving up my cigarettes, but I know it is something that I have to do. I want to be her support, and the only way I can do that is to stop smoking with her. I know it will be tough, but I will do anything to try to help my 62 year old mother prolong her life and ease her troubled breathing.

I have never tried to quit in the 25 years that I have smoked, but I think its time. She, however, has quit a couple of times in the past, and she is constantly making weak-hearted attempts to quit. She has used the patch, the gum, the inhaler, only to go back to the smokes. My heart breaks for her when she goes into her coughing fits.

I hope that I will be the inspiration that she needs to finally stop. She has to see her doctor in a month. There was some suggestion at her last visit that she may need to quit her job as a customer service representative for the phone company, and go on oxygen. Perhaps by quitting smoking, she may improve enough that she can avoid this.

If anyone has been through this type of issue with a parent, I would love to hear your story.