[Cathya]

Krista;

As a "reformed" smoker I can imagine how much more difficult being a smoker is making all of this. I suspect that as a smoker every symptom is creating tremendous amounts of stress for you. Remember that it takes a very long time for your blood to get back to normal levels after chemo. If you, like I did, just caught a normal cold it would last forever and have all these symptoms. I had a terrible cold during chemo and ended up in the hospital having a chest x-ray after the doctor heard me coughing. It was just a cold...not even pneumonia. Also, coughing after radiation is pretty normal too.

I suspect that stopping smoking will be the best way to relieve your anxieties. I found the absolutely easiest way to stop smoking ever. It worked for me and I had no withdrawal even....and I was a heavy smoker...heavier still once I decided to stop and was in the waiting phase....lol. I went to a natural hygeine spa and fasted for 7 days on water. It sounds bizarre but it really worked and I haven't smoked since...it's been around 9 or 10 years. I suspect that if you went to any vegetarian type spa (it's important to get out of your environment and away from husband, kids, etc.) and asked them for fruit juices and water for 5 to 7 days that this would work as well. After you do this they ease you into eating healthy foods for about 3 days and then its a new, smoke free you going home. Just an idea.

Cathy