A Wistaston woman has managed to kick her 40-year smoking habit into touch with the help of the “Be Smoke Free” programme in Cheshire East.
When Cath O’Connell was made aware she had inherited a gene that can cause her arteries to clog, putting her life at risk, she knew if was time to act.
After four decades of smoking, she drummed up the courage to join the Be Smoke Free programme at Easy Medical Centre in Crewe provided by One You Cheshire East.
Cath said: “I had some private blood tests done, and the results came back that they weren’t the greatest.
“I went to my doctor and they sent me the link for the non-smoking programme.
“I thought my health was okay before I took part. I knew I coughed quite a bit, but apart from that I thought I was doing really well.
“Since I’ve got to this non-smoking part, I feel that I can actually breath better.
“I’m not getting out of breath when I’m walking and I can walk a lot faster.”
Since joining the programme, Cath has noticed significant improvements in her mental and physical health.
She is not as stressed and feels more relaxed, her heart rate is lower and she no longer plans her day around smoking, feeling more in control of her life.
“Smoking owned me and I felt quite up and down a lot during the day, whereas now I actually feel level,” she added.
“I have tried to stop smoking before and I’ve failed, but with this, it actually gave me the confidence.
“I come here every week, and Karolina is like “no, you’re doing well, you’re doing brilliant” and it actually gave me the confidence that I am and I will do this.”
She says she was offered various products to find ones suitable for her and to help with cravings.
She also had regular appointments to support her along the way and to track her progress.
Her carbon monoxide levels have dropped significantly.
When she first came it was 19 and she is now down to 2, reinforcing her success and she is now more than 60 days smoke free.
“I just feel as though you’re not left on your own and you do have somebody that you can talk to during this time as well.
“There is no need to feel nervous about taking part. It’s not a dictatorship; it’s you working with an advisor on what is best for you.
“You’re supported, you’re made to feel like a person and the advisors have the experience, they’ve been there themselves and you just get to talk to them like a friend each week.”
To stop smoking, contact One You Cheshire East and find out about the free programme available across Cheshire East.
Visit www.oneyoucheshireeast.org or call 0300 123 5026.
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