"I started smoking when I was 11 years old. I had older sisters who smoked, and they'd give me a cigarette. I continued smoking for 45 years. Eventually, I went on an oral medication prescribed by my primary care provider and started vaping to replace smoking. But, I kept vaping for another five years. 

"I was referred for a cat scan on my lungs due to some concerning symptoms, including shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness and chronic cough. I was diagnosed with the start of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). At that point, I knew I needed to quit for good. I visited my WakeMed Primary Care provider, Olivia Hodgson, MD, and she connected me with Jessica Revels of Quit With WakeMed.

"My prior cardiologist had prescribed my oral smoking cessation medication, but I knew I needed something else. I needed someone to hold me accountable for my actions, and I found that in Jessica Revels. She was very, very encouraging. She made me feel like I could climb Mount Everest. She was a listening ear. Eventually, each time I wanted to vape, her voice became the voice in my own head

I would hear, "You can do this Rose. You got this."

"Eventually, I decided I didn't need to vape anymore, and I just quit. It's been about nine months. I still have cravings every now and then, but I refuse to return to that habit. Recently, I visited my WakeMed pulmonologist, and he said he could barely tell I showed signs of COPD. He told me that if I didn't return to vaping, it would likely not advance. 

"That message was very satisfying and further motivated me to never vape again."