01/13/2026
“In Smoking Cessation, we often talk about data, strategies and outcomes, but behind every chart is a human story. Sometimes those stories remind us why we do this work, especially when the job feels heavy,” said Joy Melerine, a to***co cessation specialist with Ochsner’s Smoking Cessation program.
A recent experience, rooted in both grief and gratitude, reminded Melerine that there is no such thing as coincidences.
After a long day, she finally sat down to prepare for a panel discussion where she had been invited to speak. One question immediately stood out:
“What do you say to someone who has been smoking for 25 years and says it is too late to quit?”
The question made her smile. Most of her patients have smoked for more than 25 years, but one particular patient came to mind. He had recently shared that after being smoke-free for several years, he had broken down and smoked two ci******es.
“I told him to first forgive himself. He responded to a moment of pain in the way he had for years. I shared how proud I was. He smoked two ci******es and then stopped. That was a lapse, not a relapse. That was a victory,” Melerine said.
She had been looking forward to their next meeting, but he never showed. Later she learned that he had passed away. Overwhelmed with grief, she closed her computer and began the now dreaded trip to the panel discussion.
While on the road, her phone pinged. A message appeared:
“Nearly seven years quit.”
It was a former patient who sent a screenshot of his smoke-free app. The message that followed read:
“Please share that with your people. Also let them know I have been sober for almost 12 years. I drank for more than 40 years and smoked for more than 35.”
Three hours later, a second screenshot arrived from another patient:
“Six years, 8 minutes and 41 seconds quit.”
A warmth spread through her, and grief shifted to gratitude. The panel question suddenly did not seem so hard to answer.
“It is never too late. Every day smoke-free is a day of healing. Every patient story is a reminder that change is possible. Sometimes the universe sends you the message you need, right when you need it most. Thank you to every patient who reminds us why we keep showing up,” she said.
If you or a loved one is ready to start a new chapter, Ochsner’s Smoking Cessation program is here to help: https://ow.ly/H2aO50XpGRz
