When I decided to stop smoking before knee replacement surgery, I thought I was preparing for an operation. What I didn't realise was that I was also making one of the best decisions of my life.
I've been smoking since I was about 17 or 18 years old. It started through work and socialising. I was a nurse, and in those days we lived in a nurses' home with around 200 other young nurses. There were parties, lots of people smoked, and it was simply part of everyday life.
Back then, smoking was widely accepted. You could smoke almost anywhere and nobody thought much of it. Things are very different now. Smoking has become far less common.
I was never what you'd call a heavy smoker, but it was still a habit that had been part of my life for decades. I was spending around $100 a week on cigarettes. At the time, you don't really think about the cost, but once I stopped, I realised just how much money I was saving.
One of the first things I bought with my cigarette money was a cat. I probably never would have done that before. I've also treated myself to a few online purchases, and it's been a pleasant surprise to look at my bank account and see that it isn't disappearing quite so quickly.
My decision to quit came while I was preparing for a total knee replacement. Although I was advised to cut back on smoking, I wasn't told I had to stop. But I thought to myself, if I'm going to do this, I may as well do it properly.
As a nurse, I knew the North Otago Stop Smoking Coach through social circles. I knew that if I was serious about quitting, I needed support. The fact that the service was free made it an easy decision.
Without Colleen, I couldn't have done it.
She was there with me throughout the entire journey. She gave me everything I needed and supported me every step of the way. If I had questions, I could call her. We had regular appointments, and knowing someone was there to help made all the difference.
I started working with Colleen about five or six weeks before my surgery. Gradually, I reduced the number of cigarettes I was smoking until I eventually stopped altogether. By the time I went in for my knee replacement, I was completely smoke-free.
I've been smoke-free since 28 May.
One of the biggest changes has been my health. My sense of smell has returned, and the coughing I used to live with has disappeared. Recently, I went on holiday to Hamner Springs with a friend who is a heavy smoker. Every time she went outside for a cigarette, I'd sit and chat with her. Listening to her cough, I suddenly realised that I used to sound exactly the same. That was a powerful moment.
Of course, quitting hasn't been completely straightforward. Every now and then, the temptation is still there. I've also discovered that I've replaced some of my smoking habit with a little more sugar than I probably should be eating. But compared to smoking, that's something I can work on.
I used every form of nicotine replacement therapy available to me except vaping. Having those tools made a huge difference while I was breaking the habit. And it really was a habit.
For years, my mornings followed exactly the same routine: get up, have a cigarette, make a coffee, have a shower, then have another cigarette. Smoking was woven through my day. Breaking those routines was one of the biggest challenges, but now those habits are gone.
What I've gained is far more valuable than what I've given up.
I have more time to do the things I enjoy. During summer, I work with yellow eyed penguins at Bushy Beach, where smoking isn't allowed anyway. I feel healthier, I've got extra money in my pocket, and I'm now saving for a big holiday next year.
Stopping smoking has given me a new appreciation for my health and my future.
Most importantly, I know I didn't do it alone. Having someone like Colleen in my corner made all the difference. She supported me through every stage of the process, celebrated the milestones, and helped me stay focused when things felt difficult.
Looking back now, quitting smoking wasn't just about preparing for surgery. It was about choosing my health, my future, and a better quality of life.
