Seniors, Senior Health, Senior Fitness, Senior Diet, Senior Weight Loss - The Golden Years of Fitness for Senior Sit-a-Zens^©

Senior Health - How a Life Went Up in Smoke

Henry began smoking just before his thirteenth birthday on a dare. It's a habit that stayed with him until his senior years. He hadn't thought much about the risks surrounding smoking and unlike his close friends, he hadn't ever tried to kick the habit. Several years ago he saw firsthand how difficult quitting had been for his friend, Joe, and Henry had decided that it just wasn't worth the hassle. And Joe quickly took up smoking again.

Then one day before Henry's sixty-fifth birthday, he developed a cough that wouldn't quite go away. He had tried all the over-the-counter medicines, but nothing had worked.

His call from Joe came through as Henry was arguing with his wife about going to the doctor to find out why the cough wouldn't go away.

It was in great sadness that Henry learned that his friend Joe had developed lung cancer. Needless to say, Henry was perched willingly inside a doctor's office the following morning.

Our story has two happy endings; Henry's cough was curable and he went on to help his friend, Joe beat cancer. Both teamed up together to beat the smoking habit - and it was much easier than they thought with the new treatments available. Now the two of them enjoy a brisk morning walk together rather than a smoke.

If you have smoked since youth and are concerned about the difficultly you may face in kicking the habit, get with your doctor. Quitting while even in our golden years may add years to our lives, as well as quality of life.

Return to Diet Bites