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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories First hemp permit holder now just needs some seed Beloved advocate dies unexpectedly in Caribbean Man catches burglar in the act Mt. Ashland Ski Area celebrates snow Couple face child abuse charges Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Man catches burglar in the act Couple face child abuse charges Fire guts Evans Valley pump house Oxygen tank explodes during Phoenix house fire Emergency services, Feb. 11 Politics and Elections Oregon's second in command abruptly returns from capital Mark L. 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Dear Monty: Hot markets change agent behavior Carol Link: How to make sure yucca plants are gone Home Help: Repurposing garage doors into stunning walls with a view Landscape lighting for beauty, safety and value Health Community blog: Simple Solutions Health Watch: Simple swaps for a healthy lifestyle Community blog: Five "Must Haves" Health Watch: Don’t let your fitness resolutions fizzle out Community blog: Toxic Love: How to Identify an Abusive Relationship Hiking Biking Faith RELIGION BRIEFS, Feb. 6 Religion News: Church of England consecrates first female bishop Religion briefs Religion briefs, Jan. 23 Religion briefs Milestones and Achievements New arrivals: Sunday, Feb. 8 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Blues Jam at The Little Brown Jug in Talent Jeff Kloetzel at South Stage Cellars Ayron Jones and The Way play Rocky-Tonk Mexican Brass at the Craterian Theater 'Dames at Sea' opens at Oregon Cabaret Theatre Theater 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' 'Dames at Sea' opens at Oregon Cabaret Theatre Le Cirque presents 'City Walk' Camelot presents Playwright Richard Manley's 'A Question of Words' Classics, premiers highlight '15 season for OSF Music Blues Jam at The Little Brown Jug in Talent Jeff Kloetzel at South Stage Cellars Ayron Jones and The Way play Rocky-Tonk Mexican Brass at the Craterian Theater Southern Oregon Repertory Singers present 'The Passing of Time' Community Events Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jacksonville celebrates Chinese New Year Comedian Susan Westenhoefer pulls no punches Paula Poundstone performs at the Craterian Len Dickson's 'Fall Harvest' to grace Belle Fiore wine label Dining Stylish shareables are the feature at Brickroom Sandwiches and burgers are hits at The Rogue Chef The Vine offers a taste of Italy Cheeseburgers on the cheap Valley View — It's all in the family Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Kitzhaber had planned to quit ... First hemp permit holder now just needs some seed ... Beloved advocate dies unexpectedly in Caribbean ... Kitzhaber had planned to quit ... First hemp permit holder now just needs some seed ... Beloved advocate dies unexpectedly in Caribbean ... GUEST OPINION Guest Opinion: Smokers: Quit before this happens to you Comment By Noni McCrillis MailTribune.com By Noni McCrillis Posted Feb. 9, 2015 @ 12:01 am By Noni McCrillis Posted Feb. 9, 2015 @ 12:01 am What do you think? --> Have an opinion on this topic? Send a letter to the editor at www.mailtribune.com/sendletter. » Read more X What do you think? Have an opinion on this topic? Send a letter to the editor at www.mailtribune.com/sendletter . » Social News The day begins with coughing. He sits up slowly, reaching for the hose to his oxygen tank. He breathes for a few minutes, until he feels ready to stand. Another day with emphysema begins. As a child he wanted to be just like his dad. As a teenager he wanted to be cool. His dad smoked, and so did the cool kids, so he began. He told himself for years he could quit any time he wanted to. He never had any trouble with his lungs, so he always thought he had plenty of time. He had an “it won’t happen to me” attitude. And for a long time, it didn’t. In his mid-50s, he started to slow down a little. He coughed a little more, but no big deal. X-rays always came back clear, so no problem there. His wife, who had smoked for years, had finally quit. She begged him to quit. He tried, but when he couldn’t do it he hid it from her, not wanting her to worry. She knew he still smoked and worried anyway. The older he got, the more she worried. And still he couldn’t stop. The kids grew up and his daughter got married. His parents passed away. The cigarettes were always there, ready when ever he needed them. His daughter presented him with a granddaughter. Not even for her could he quit, no matter how hard he tried. This man is my husband. He is 40 pounds below his top weight, and he was never overweight. He looks skeletal. He can’t get on the floor and wrestle with his granddaughter. He can’t go for a walk with his wife. On the last family vacation at the coast, walking down to the beach was an absolute chore. Once there, he could only sit on a log with his oxygen tank and watch his family. His medications have changed his sense of taste to the point where most foods he’s always loved no longer taste good. He coughs — wet, nasty coughs — all the time. We are looking into end-of-life issues that only much older people usually think about. Do you smoke? Do you think you can quit any time you want to? Do you really believe that? And if you do quit, will it be in time? When I am with him in public and I see people light up, I always draw their attention to him and his tank and tell them they should quit before they get to that point. They may find me annoying, but if I can convince just one person to quit, then I don’t care. Understand this: Cigarettes are evil. They convince you that they are stronger than you are. Trust me, you can quit. But if you don’t, make sure you have good insurance. You’re going to need it. By the way, he did finally quit smoking. He no longer has a choice. Noni McCrillis lives in Phoenix. By Noni McCrillis MailTribune.com By Noni McCrillis Posted Feb. 9, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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