Well, this is my second time reaching the 100 day milestone. There are many differences this time. I seriously feel like this is it, I am quit. The first time I thought about chew all the time. I also knew that I would chew again, becuase I wasn't ready to be a non-chewer yet. That time is now.
I also did not write a hall of fame speech last time. I really didn't feel that it was that important. I know that this time I need to write one.
My story is similar to the many, many others who use this site. I started chewing back in 1996 when I was a senior in high school. I was a three sport athlete and baseball was my best. That year we were rolling. We were having the best season of my high school career. We were also chewing before and after every game, usually on the bus to where ever we were playing or in the locker room before a home game. Needless to say, as many of you know, baseball players are very supersticious. We thought if we didn't chew, our winning streak would be over. So we continued to chew, continued to win. We ended up winning the sectional championship that year. Luckily for me, back then, quitting was no big deal. I just stopped doing it and went off to college. I played ball there and only threw a fatty in every once in a while.
A few years pass. I graduate college. I accept a position as a jail deputy. I get back to chewing full time. At work, out of work, you name it. I did a couple years in the jail and then transferred to the road patrol. I met my wife, we had our son, we bought a house, took numerous vacations....all with chew. So many milestones I've been through with that shit in my mouth.
Its really pretty amazing that when I would try to quit I would say....ok, write 5 tickets, reward with a chew. Make a big arrest, reward with a chew. Do traffic control, reward with a chew. Yeah, real smart dumbass, reward yourself with something that will kill you!!
I wanted to quit...for my son, for my wife...but not really for me yet.
In 2006 I found QuitSmokeless. I read about it and joined. That first quit I made it just under a year. But I wasn't ready. So one dip led to another and you know the story. Sometimes I think it would be easier to quit crack, at least thats harder to get a hold of! (lol)
Now, this time I promise:
I promise to my beautiful wife, my wonderful (little athlete) son, and everyone else who reads this. No longer am I going to be a hypocryt: workout 6 times a week, eat clean, hardly drink and preach about living healthy....then sneak off and throw cancer in my mouth!!
I will be a great role model for my son in all aspects of my life. I will be able to kiss my wife whenever and wherever and not have to clear a dip and use mouthwash 20 times a day.
I promise, from now on, not to touch that cancer causing crap ever again. I am stronger then that. I am stonger then some nasty shit that rots your teeth, stanks your breath, and just straight up screws you up.
To all of you considering quitting: Get bigger then the chew. Man (or woman) up!! Beat that nasty crap!
To all my fellow mayhemmers: I know I very rarely commented. But I post every day and more important I read all your posts. You guys helped a ton! Thanks for that....Congrats!

Shawn