JB:
Let me attempt to address your dilemma by stating that I smoked for 30 years but quit 'cold turkey' almost 20 years ago. No pills, patches or hypnotism were necessary and I did not gain weight. I simply decided to stop, for all the usual reasons; fear of cancer, bad example to my then-young son, the potentially negative effect on my voice (I was a radio announcer), increasing cost and the decrease of social acceptance for smoking in public places. It isn't that difficult if you choose to do so, at least it wasn't for me as I was simply tired of smoking, got little or nothing from it and had the aforementioned reasons (and others) to nudge me toward a smoke-free life. During my AN surgery pre-op testing, my lungs were clear and my heart and circulation were excellent - and I was 63 years old at the time and no athlete.
That having been stated as a full disclosure and admitting that I'm a tad biased - I never really bought into the idea that simply breathing the air that contains smoke already passed through another person's lungs is highly detrimental to one's health and, specifically, can restrict your breathing capabilities during surgery. I believe this is more well-intentioned opinion than objective science but as a long-time non-smoker, I now dislike being around those who smoke (some of my close relatives), mostly due to the 'stench' and the fact that I have to immediately wash everything I've worn while in their house in order to get the smell of smoke out. Please understand that I'm not advising you to ignore the second-hand smoke around you. However, since you really have few other options and don't wish to shatter the relationship with your parents, you may simply have to work around the situation. Unfortunately, as selfish as they may seem to be about this, it
is their home and people still have the right to smoke in their own home. Steve (
sgerrard) and others offered some practical suggestions for minimizing the smoke-filled spaces you'll be living in and I would hope your parents might try to accommodate you for a time. You're not asking them to give up smoking (which would be a futile request, anyway), just to restrict it to certain areas until you undergo your surgery. Smoking in the car should be strictly off-limits during this time. However, you simply cannot dictate to mature adults - your parents - how they must live. I would appeal to their concern for you and your health as you await your AN surgery. Beyond that, you'll have to deal with the situation as best you can and in doing so, realize that breathing 'second-hand' smoke will very likely not be the cause of some catastrophic complication during or after your surgery, despite some of the dire warnings you can find in medical websites from well-intentioned doctors. Let me be clear: I don't for a moment advocate smoking - for anyone of any age - but I'm skeptical of the second-hand smoke theory that seems a bit overwrought and not based on solid scientific evidence. However, avoiding tobacco smoke is always a sensible idea, even if only to keep the smell of it from clinging to you and your clothing. Moving in with your sister may prove to be the simplest choice as it avoids the 'second-hand' smoke and retains your family connection.
I trust this will work out for all concerned - you, especially - and I appreciate your time and patience in reading this mini-novel. Be well.
Jim
