This year I turn 32 years old. I began smoking when I was 19 years old. For all of my adult years, I have been a smoker. I've had a relationship with smoking that has lasted longer than any other relationship in my life thus far. After ten years of failed attempts at quitting smoking, my wife introduced me to what she felt was my last hope. She told me about Eleanor Laser and a new procedure called LLLT procedure for smoking cessation. After checking out Eleanor's web site and receiving more information from Eleanor's colleague, Art Ross, about the LLT Procedure, I set up an appointment for treatment.

Initially, I thought this was a bunch of hoopla. I wondered how an addiction so physical and emotional can be altered by such a non-invasive technique. My wife on the other hand had nothing but extreme confidence in Eleanor. Five years ago, my wife visited Eleanor several times for hypnobirthing sessions. These sessions were for our second child. My wife's labor for our first child was so excruciating, we waited four years before she could stomach the idea of having another child. With Eleanor's assistance, my wife's labor and delivery was so drastically different that my wife was quoted as saying, "that's it? I can do this again." This statement was quite in contrast to the promises of never repeating the awful experience of the first birth. Because my wife was so confident in Eleanor after receiving hypnobirthing treatments, I felt I should give the LLT procedure a try. At the very least, I thought if it didn't work, I wouldn't be any worse for the try.

I called Eleanor and set up an appointment. Eleanor made sure that I was aware of what the treatment involved and introduced me to her colleague Art. Prior to the LLT procedure, Eleanor performed a very soothing hypnosis. Her voice was calming and very assuring. I felt that what Eleanor was saying, I was feeling. My mind became open to the thoughts of never, or more importantly, wanting or needing to smoke again. My time with Eleanor was calming, soothing and very uplifting. I had heard tapes before that are supposed to keep your mind on track for quitting smoking, but I can honestly say that I never fully bought into what was being said. To have a person who truly believes in her work and wants to help someone right in front of you, guiding you through the process, is far more valuable than such informal tapes mass marketed for large sales.

After Eleanor was done with her treatment, I met with Art. The LLT procedure was so non-invasive, and so little effort was required on my part, that little doubts started to form in my head if this was really going to work. However, after having just worked with Eleanor and remembering all the information shared with me by Eleanor and Art, I knew that as long as I kept my focus on the healing process, and kept an open mind, things would be better for me and my life struggle with smoking. I truly feel that Eleanor's presence was essential to my mind and body accepting the next step with the LLT procedure.

When I was done with the treatment, I felt uplifted. I felt like I had finally conquered the awful world of smoking. I went home and shared my joy with my wife immediately. I told her how great Eleanor was and how I was looking forward to never smoking again.

Within the week, I did have some cravings, which was surprising to me. My mind didn't want to smoke, but somehow my body felt like it was missing something. Eleanor had called me several times to check on my process and I informed her of what was going on. She reminded me that it was important for me to be completely honest with her for the treatment to work. I told her what was going on. She offered to repeat the procedure, because after having smoked for so long, that what I was feeling was normal. I told her that I thought I was fine and I would be ok.

To this date, I am officially a non-smoker. Although I never smoked around my children or wife, the smell of smoking doesn't stay put in the area you smoke. It sticks to your clothes, your body, your hands and mouth. This would repel my family from me in the past. It is now so nice to not have to feel apprehensive about holding my family anymore for fear they will be repelled by my scent. Now, my family runs to me with open arms because daddy is smoke free. It is also nice to know that if I do ever have troubles down the road, Eleanor is there to help me through as she has remained consistent in checking up on me and helping me to stay on the path of being a non-smoker.

Jermaine Bradsfield