Quote:
Originally Posted by disneysteve
I learned long ago that little that I say has any impact on my patients' behavior. People will keep doing what they want to do. That doesn't mean I never make a comment, but it really depends on the patient. If it is someone I have known for years and have a good relationship with, I'll say something like, "Just think how much you'd save if you quit smoking." They'll nod and say I'm right, but then go on blowing $12/day on cigarettes like they always have.
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You are so right, Disneysteve. My mom smoked for over 60 years. Her doctor gave up on telling her to stop. During the last couple years of her life she was in and out of the hospital and she lied to the doctors and nurses...the last day of her life, as I sat in the emergency room with her, I overheard the nurses talking about her. They were scoffing at the story my mom told them that she had a cigarette once in a blue moon. She reeked of cigarette smoke and her hands were badly stained with nicotine. When I said something to the doctor when she was out of earshot, he said they all lie about it. She even lied to herself. She kept saying she was out of breath because of the humidity or heat, not because of her smoking. Somehow she conveniently forgot she was diagnosed with COPD.