Stacey,

I wish you and your dad luck and strength in giving up smoking... I,
too am 33, a smoker, and was diagnosed with emphysema a couple of
months ago. My mother (also a smoker), also has emphysema. While
I've been exposed to industrial chemicals, I believe that the primary
culprit is cigar(ette) smoke (everyone in my family smoked for as long
as I can remember - and I started at 15)...

I can well understand your concerns related to emphysema, especially
relating to your father's condition - I've probably had many of the
same ones concerning my mother's condition...

Regards,
Chris

--- In emphysema@yahoogroups.com, TruckDriver1972@a... wrote:
>
> Just joined yesterday and thought I would introduce myself. My name
is Stacey
> , I am 33 , live in central Indiana. And recently my dad was
diagnosed with
> Emphysema. My dad is 56 and has smoked for quite some years now. As
well as he
> has been exposed to other "agents" as we will call them. From
Vietnam to the
> steel mill that he once was employed in.
>
> The diagnosis is still fresh , as he was just diagnosed this last
week. I am
> familiar with this disease , as my grandpa passed away in 1986 with
> complications from emphysema. Because it has been so long ago , 18
years to be exact. I
> felt the need to join a few groups pertaining to smoking , the
effects as
> well as emphysema etc.
>
> I , myself , am too a smoker. Definitely in the quitting stages as
we speak.
> I have yet to get the patch , etc. though. As I would rather do all
of this on
> my own slowly but surely. As well as my dad is weaning himself off
of tobacco
> too.
>
> I am the oldest of three girls , my parents have been married for 36
years
> now. I myself am married and have been for 7 years. I cannot have
children due
> to infertility issues. I do however have three cats. Though that
does not take
> away the heartache of not having a child . But after 10 years of no
success in
> trying , it was time to *hang* up the proverbial shoes. And get on
with life
> the best that I can anyhow. It is really sad most times , as I see
others with
> babies and children. Other parents with grandchildren etc. And know
that if
> something dire were to happen to both of my parents right this
minute. They
> will never know the joys of a grandchild etc. As both my sisters are
also
> experiencing infertility issues.
>
> I do not work outside the home. My husband is a truck driver , hence
the
> email address. I love to chat on here , play games on POGO , and
eBay like crazy !
>
> I hope to *meet* others here that will know of my fears , my
concerns , my
> questions , etc.
>
> Well take care , have a great day and a Merry Christmas too..
>
> Stacey