Alfie’s story
Quitting Smoking: Alfie Thompson’s inspiring journey to a healthier life
At 73 years old, Alfie Thompson from Gateshead is a real inspiration. Alfie had smoked for nearly six decades, but his journey to quitting has transformed his life. His story proves no matter how long you have smoked, it is never too late to quit.
Alfie started smoking at the age of 15. Like many others, it became a routine part of his life. However it was lung cancer brought on by his smoking that changed everything. When he received a letter from the NHS offering a free lung scan, he had no idea it would be the beginning of a life-changing experience.
After the scan, Alfie was contacted by the medical team at the QE Hospital in Gateshead. They’d spotted a small mass on his lung. Over the next 18 months, the mass was monitored until his consultant, Dr Ruth Sharrock, gave him the news that it could be cancer. She urged him to stop smoking immediately.
“It was a difficult time,” Alfie recalls. “I felt scared, and my partner Sharon was panicking. I knew I had to listen to Dr Sharrock, but I didn’t think I had the willpower to quit after nearly 60 years of smoking. It’s a long time.”
Further tests confirmed Alfie’s worst fears—he had lung cancer. A team at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle confirmed the diagnosis and discussed possible surgery, which risked him losing half of a lung. Wanting an alternative, Alfie chose an intense course of radiotherapy instead.
While undergoing treatment in Newcastle, Alfie was introduced to Barbara Lynam from the Tobacco Dependency Treatment Service at the QE Hospital’s QUIT Team in Gateshead where he lives. Barbara and her team supported Alfie on his journey to quit smoking. Barbara suggested he switch to vaping as a stepping stone to quitting completely.
Alfie was sceptical and really believed he had no willpower at all but decided to give vaping a try. “I said to Barbara I can’t do this. I don’t have the willpower. But what did I have to lose?” Alfie said. Over the next 12 weeks, he started to vape, and the results were astonishing.
“I feel amazing now!” he says. “I have more energy, I look and feel younger, and I’m saving money. Plus, my partner Sharon is over the moon. The horrible smell of tobacco is gone, and my chest tightness has disappeared.”
Although Alfie is still waiting for his final radiotherapy results, and it’s a tense 3 month wait he has already noticed significant improvements in his health and is so grateful to the Quit Team who supported him in Gateshead. “They’ve helped to save my life.”
Alfie has a powerful message for anyone still smoking: “Stop—or at least keep trying to quit.”
“Smoking ruins your health and ages you prematurely. I never thought I could quit, but I did. If I can do it after almost 60 years, so can you. Don’t wait until it’s too late—quitting could save your life.”