TGIF: Your Conga Friday Party Pledge

Good morning Gene:

Things seem to be getting better.......I am cautiously optimistic that I am on my road to recovery. It's been a pretty hectic 4.1/2 months. 2 pnemonias.....hospitalized for both......more lung scarring. Yesterday I met with my lung specialist...Dr. Leong. We viewed the CT scan of my lungs......I was.....and am, horrified. Both lungs have sustained substaintial damage from smoking, which leads to increased inflammation.......ie, pneumonia. The scarring is deep, and extensive. I know proof positive now that my chances of running a marathon are......zero. However......Dr. Leong has started me on new meds.....a lung function/training course, and out patient active monitoring. Hopefully these steps will help alleviate some of the difficultys I have been experianceing. To anyone reading this...........please take it to heart.....you can......and should stop smoking. I'm eight years quit. If I had continued smoking.......I do not believe I would be alive today.

Pledging to remain smoke free, to live my life with dignity and joy. Offering a hand of hope, support and freedom to everyone.........Bertram n.s.