Smoking Harm Can Be Undone

Dear Ann Landers: Last fall, my 47-year-old brother was diagnosed with lung cancer. Years of smoking had finally caught up with him. After months of medical attention, the doctors have told us that my brother has maybe one or two years left before the cancer kills him.

My heart is broken. I am not ready to say goodbye to my brother. Please, Ann, get the message out that all those smokers who think they are hurting only themselves are sadly mistaken.

I am enclosing an article I read recently. If you would print it in your column, it just might inspire some smokers to quit. It could spare their children, parents, brothers, sisters and friends the great sorrow I am experiencing today. - Saddened in San Jose

Dear San Jose: As a life trustee on the board of the American Cancer Society, I am delighted to print the article. You might think it’s too late to quit smoking, but here is some good news from the American Cancer Society:

“As soon as you snuff out that last cigarette, your body will begin a series of physiological changes.

“Within 20 minutes: Blood pressure, body temperature and pulse rate will drop to normal.

“Within eight hours: Smoker’s breath disappears. Carbon monoxide level in blood drops, and oxygen level rises to normal.

“Within 24 hours: Chance of heart attack decreases.

“Within 48 hours: Nerve endings start to regroup. Ability to taste and smell improves.

“Within three days: Breathing is easier.

“Within two to three months: Circulation improves. Walking becomes easier. Lung capacity increases up to 30 percent.

“Within one to nine months: Sinus congestion and shortness of breath decrease. Cilia that sweep debris from your lungs grows back. Energy increases.

“Within one year: Excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a person who smokes.

“Within two years: Heart attack risk drops to near normal.

“Within five years: Lung cancer death rate for average former pack-a-day smoker decreases by almost half. Stroke risk is reduced. Risk of mouth, throat and esophageal cancer is half that of a smoker.

“Within 10 years: Lung cancer death rate is similar to that of a person who does not smoke. The pre-cancerous cells are replaced.

“Within 15 years: Risk of coronary heart disease is the same as a person who has never smoked.”

Dear Ann Landers: My nephew’s family lost a beloved pet, and it never should have happened. A dish of chocolate candy was left on the coffee table, and their 2-year-old springer spaniel ate it all. He died after two days of suffering. The vet’s bill was enormous. The family was devastated by guilt and grief.

Chocolate is poisonous to dogs. A lot of people don’t know that. Dogs love chocolate, but a very small amount can make a dog sick. A large amount can be fatal. Please inform your readers, Ann. - J.K.W. in Seattle

Dear J.K.W.: You did, and I thank you.

xxxx