Home August 1, 2007 - Smoking
“As much as I’m a romantic, I’m also a realist. And it’s done, I can’t undo what I did.”
Lovelle Svart started smoking when she was 19 and hasn’t quit — except for about a month when she was recovering from heart surgery three years ago.
Now 62, and nearly five years out from a diagnosis of lung cancer, Lovelle has no illusions about what caused her cancer. But she still smokes five or six menthol cigarettes a day, down from more than a pack a day.
Lovelle applauds anyone who manages to quit smoking, but says it would consume all her energy to try to stop and she doesn’t want to do that in her limited time left.
— Don Colburn
Lovelle,
I am a Hospice volunteer and have found your comments on dying and the need to talk about it so helpful in the way I will approach my own mortality and those I serve.
Thank you for sharing your insight and for being so honest about a subject most people fear and refuse to accept.
You are being embraced right now…please fell my hug.
Judy
Lovelle, thank you for your willingness to share this most difficult time. My father recently passed away from colon cancer and I know that he would completely understand what you must be going through. I remember him having a lot of anxiety too. He just wanted to make sure everything was taken care of before he left. He was also so sad of thinking that he would not be part of our daily lives anymore. I completely don’t believe that is the case. I think that his soul is still there and he’s still present with us. Although I can’t hear him or see him anymore, I just have to believe that a person’s soul contines on after death and that you will still be there for your family. May you find peace with god.
Recently, I lost a friend to cancer. This is a man I’ve known for 20 years. I felt so awkward about what to say to him as his end came nearer. I hesitate to say the wrong thing (which I think I may have by suggesting that maybe The Cancer Institution in Seattle could help him). Please set me straight on what to say, and especially, what not to say.
Lovell,
You are not the only one who continues to smoke knowing that your lungs cannot take it. In June, I had pneumonia, and a chest x-ray showed that the nodules in my right lung that I’ve had since 2002 had grown. On July 16th, I had a CT scan, and the doctor prepared me for for the possibility of cancer. I had a PET scan on July 20th, and cancer was ruled out. I know, that by continuing to smoke, it is inevitable that I will be diagnosed with cancer, and the effects of 50 years of smoking have taken their toll. You are not alone in finding it hard to quit. You are a very brave lady, and I applaud your courage for telling your story. If your story keeps one person from starting to smoke, you have saved a life. Bless you.
When I read about your upcoming blog in the paper, I asked myself, “Why did they choose you”?. Now I FINALLY figured out how to watch your videos and you are so honest and inspiring for me, and I am sure for other patients. You helped me understand why my dying mother had stuck notes and friend’s names on her possessions. It was because none of us wanted to hear her talk about death. There are still so many people who can not say “dead, dying”.
(I am stage IV). “You can’t undo” was one of my favorite comments of yours. Thank you so much for being so incredibly honest. Kathrine
(Originally posted to vimeo.com/oregonian)
This is why every cigarette executive in this country should be forced to watch your videos over and over; or better, one of the thousands who end their days hacking and hacking away, suffocating finally.
My aunt also died of lung cancer, but lived for years with an oxygen machine following her everywhere. She finally said, “Take away the machine”, knowing it sealed her fate.
But she was not able to die peacefully. She suffocated just as Lavalle would have, had she not had this wonderful rescue by a state emancipated enough to set up the way, legally.
thanks to you Oregonians for showing us the way.