Going through cancer treatment does give one extra motivation to quit smoking or stay quit and so he has. It's been over a year now and the weight he gained when he first quit and then lost during treatment has somewhat stabilized.
He did use Chantix again to stop smoking and it did seem to help although the crankiness was still there at times and eating to compensate for the hand to mouth movements. Which is why I preferred to use the nicotine gum. It gave me something to do and it calmed me just knowing I would have relief from the nicotine withdrawal soon.
I also thought it was fun to be able to use a nicotine product in places smoking is not allowed like the movies or on a plane or, early on, even in the shower.
Anyway, he is considered cancer-free now and we hope things only get better. He is still recovering from the treatment regimen and regaining his energy and appetite and ability to taste foods again.
Radiation for head and neck cancers affect the saliva glands and taste buds due to the heat of the rays of energy that destroy the cancer cells.
They say that he will regain his ability to taste foods almost fully but his saliva glands may never recover satisfactorily and so he uses mouth moisturizers and keeps bottled water with him all the time.
He's not complaining much though ... he's here and we are really grateful.
Keep on keeping on ... it's definitely doable whichever method you choose to use.
Best Wishes!
