Hello Pat
That's a positive, upbeat post for sure image and it raises a few points for me to comment on.
First, the amount of reading you're doing is brilliant. You could not possibly spend your time any better than that ! The education you're getting is your insurance policy against relapse, and your passport to a successful quit and a happier, healthier future.
Your husband is quitting at the same time as you, so you should read Buddy Systems which addresses the problems that can arise from two people quitting together. I think the key message is that you must not allow your quits to beome interdependent.
Another thing you said was "I know I will likely never undo all the damage I have done ", and that's a sensible position to take. But don't give up all hope of that. Your body will indeed repair itself probably more than you would expect. There's a good thread called Quitting Benefits Timetable which shows you how long it take for parts of your body to return to their pre-smoking state, fully or partialy. I was also a long-term smoker --- over 40 years image --- and I have been amazed at how my general health has improved, and gone on improving, over the nearly 8 years since I quit. I wrote about this in this thread. You're right to be cautious, but there is also room for some optimism image
Congratulations to you and your husband on a great decision, and a wonderful achievement in getting here. Every single night that you go to bed without having smoked that day, give yourself a huge pat on the back and smile as you fall asleep. Then when you wake up the next morning, and say to the mirror "I've decided not to smoke again today" make sure you smile again image
There's a great journey ahead, Pat. Welcome to Freedom.
image Marty
Seven years and seven months into a life of Freedom