[sfharper]

My dad smoked most of his life. On his second bypass operation he nearly died on the operating table. The doctors will tell you that bypass operations most often are needed with smokers. They are dreadful and painful. But after my dad's surgery, he got pneumonia. I visited him late one night while he was in intensive care with a breathing tube down his throat. The nurse was just finishing his task, taking a turkey baster (at least that was what it looked like) and suctioning out his lungs. The liquid came out grayish black. Horrified I said, "is that from smoking?" The nurse replied, yep, probably built up over the years. This experience convinced my husband to quit, so I hope by sharing it, others will think again about continuing to smoke.