For five long decades, a smoking habit overshadowed Sally’s life. The idea of quitting always seemed like an unreachable goal — something she never tried to attempt. “I knew I shouldn’t be doing it,” she explained. “But because I enjoyed smoking, I hadn’t previously considered quitting.” Deep down, Sally knew each cigarette was taking its toll, even if she couldn’t see it yet.
Lung Cancer Screening Reveals Red Flags
Since 2021, Sally has received lung cancer screenings through St. Elizabeth. The caring team in this vital program has performed over 33,000 scans and diagnosed over 500 lung cancer cases. In the spring of 2024, a routine screening revealed something alarming for Sally — calcifications in her arteries, an early warning sign of heart disease. These calcifications are like silent killers, slowly narrowing the arteries and increasing the risk of heart attacks. The discovery was a wake-up call. Sally’s care team immediately recommended that she make an appointment with Darryl Dias, MD, a cardiologist at the Florence Wormald Heart and Vascular Institute at St. Elizabeth.
“While I was seeing Dr. Dias, he said that I’ve got to quit smoking,” Sally says. “It’s not only bad for my health, it affects those around me through secondhand smoke; it’s a costly habit; and it affects my chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL),” a diagnosis she received years ago. “When Dr. Dias said I need to quit, that was the day I said, ‘OK,’ and I made the decision to quit.”
It was the turning point Sally desperately needed, though she had no idea how transformative her decision would be.
Sally enrolled in the St. Elizabeth Freedom from Smoking program, a free, seven-week tobacco cessation program developed by the American Lung Association. The program helps participants create a comprehensive, personalized plan of action that leads to their quit day. Freedom from Smoking offered Sally more than just a plan — it was a lifeline. It provided her with the tools, resources and unwavering support she needed not just to quit but to stay smoke-free for life.
Freedom from Smoking, with the Support to Make it Last
Quitting smoking isn’t just about willpower. It’s about finding a community to support you and make you feel accountable. Sally found all of that in the Freedom from Smoking program. “I’m not sure I would have had the motivation to see it through without the supportive community I found in the program at St. Elizabeth,” she says. Each class became a crucial checkpoint, a place where she could share her struggles, celebrate her victories and refocus on her goal.
“It helped knowing that I was going in for a weekly checkup,” she says. “I wanted positive results to share with the class.” The camaraderie she felt reminded her that she wasn’t alone in her struggle. It kept her accountable and committed to quitting for life.
Out from Under the Shadow
Since she quit, Sally has enjoyed the many perks of a nicotine-free. It has transformed her daily life. “I don’t have that cigarette cough anymore,” she acknowledges. “My breathing is a lot easier.” The smoke cloud has lifted, and she can breathe easily for the first time in years.
And she’s experienced other health benefits as well. “My blood pressure has lowered,” she says. Her doctors also gave her the clear to stop taking two blood pressure medications. And her other health concern — the CLL — has improved. Since quitting, her white cell count has dropped significantly, counteracting the abnormally high white blood cell count caused by her CLL. It’s a testament to the body’s incredible ability to heal when given the chance. All from moving out of the shadow of a smoking habit.
Sally’s Message for Current Smokers
Sally says people need to start the smoking cessation process with determination, a positive attitude and a strong desire to quit. And they need to remember that quitting is about reclaiming your life and your future. Sally also encourages others to consider the financial aspects of quitting. “By quitting smoking, I not only saved money on cigarettes. I also reduced my medical expenses with lowered insurance premiums and fewer doctor visits,” she explains.
“I quit smoking, and I’m never going back,” Sally says. She has been invited to speak about her incredible journey at Freedom from Smoking sessions. “If I can help someone,” she says, “I’m happy to share my story.” After 50 years, she’s finally free from the habit that had dominated her life. Now she’s ready to start her new chapter, one deep breath at a time.
Quit Smoking Now
Are you ready to break your smoking habit and start a new chapter like Sally did? Quitting smoking could be the most important decision you ever make — for your physical and financial health and your future. Join the St. Elizabeth Freedom from Smoking program today. Visit our website or call (859) 301-5570 to take the first step toward a tobacco-free future.
