Denise Jackson had smoked 40 cigarettes every day for more than 40 years, but a diagnosis of lung disease was the kick-start she needed to try to quit.
The 66-year-old was admitted to Colchester Hospital following months of chest infections and pneumonia.
Doctors then told her she had lung disease and stopping smoking would be crucial for her health.
Denise, who lives in Colchester, said: “The doctors started talking about me needing oxygen and I realised it was all getting quite serious. Then they said I had interstitial lung disease – or ILD – and I couldn’t stop crying. It was such a shock.
“A really lovely doctor spoke to me and said would I be willing to talk to the stop smoking team. I said yes I’d give it a go. I’d been cared for so well by the hospital team I felt I couldn’t let them down.”
A member of the Tobacco Dependency Team at Colchester Hospital spoke to Denise while she was in hospital and discussed the options available.
Denise, who is a mum of five, said: “I didn’t want anything I’d put in my mouth as that felt too much like smoking, and I thought let’s get away from that. So Debbie from the team suggested chewing gum. I wanted to start on a low dose and was allowed 15 squares of gum a day.”
Denise and Robert Jackson
Not only did Denise quit, but so did her husband Robert and the couple have been smokefree for a year.
Denise said: “I’m proud of us. We quit just over a year ago. I still have health problems and they’ll continue to be an issue. I have to use oxygen, but it’s helped to have stopped smoking when I did.”
Denise is now on just four squares of nicotine replacement gum and Robert has quit using a vape.
Debbie Henley
Debbie Henley is a tobacco dependency adviser at Colchester Hospital, which is run by East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust’s. She said: “I’m incredibly proud of Denise – and Robert. They’ve really committed to quitting and I’m pleased I was able to be a support through that process and advise on what options were available. My role means I’m able to give people options and provide behavioural advice. It’s amazing to be part of improving someone’s health and making a difference.
“It’s never too late to quit and there are many benefits to your health – and your wallet! I’ve been there and quit myself so I really understand what people are experiencing and the concerns they have. But the sense of achievement when they’ve stopped is amazing.”
The Tobacco Dependency Service at Colchester Hospital is run by Essex Wellbeing Service and developed as part of the health inequalities programme at ESNEFT. It is available for patients in hospital and those having pre-operation appointments.
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