From Smoker to Survivor: Joyce’s Journey to Freedom

Meet Joyce Hyche, a resilient Lamar, Missouri, woman whose life journey exemplifies strength, faith, and the power of making life-changing decisions. As an ex-smoker, Joyce now dedicates her time to sharing her story in hopes of inspiring others to break free from addiction and choose a healthier path.

The Start of a Tough Habit

Joyce’s smoking journey began when she was 18, influenced by the glamorized image of smoking in advertisements. “I remember the Marlboro Man on his horse, looking cool and glamorous,” Joyce recalls. Visiting family members who smoked only strengthened her exposure to the habit. Before she knew it, smoking had become part of her daily life—a habit that would take decades to overcome.

The consequences of her smoking became evident over the years. “I kept getting bronchitis and had a horrible cough,” she shares. But the advice she received from a doctor in the 1970s wasn’t to quit, but to switch to a ‘better’ brand. Like so many others of her generation, the dangers of smoking weren’t fully understood, and Joyce continued to struggle with her addiction.

The Turning Point

As Joyce aged, her health began to deteriorate further. Walking, a once-beloved activity, became nearly impossible. “I used to walk eight miles a day,” she says, reflecting on her love for the outdoors. But her smoking habit left her breathless after just a few blocks. Frequent bouts of bronchitis and even pneumonia became her norm. “I thought, ‘I’m sick of being sick.’ That’s when I decided to make a change.”

Her journey to quitting began with the Freedom from Smoking Program offered by her local hospital. The program, which spans seven weeks, gave Joyce the tools she needed to rethink her habits and break free. One of the most helpful changes was altering her morning routine. “Instead of sitting at the kitchen table with a cigarette and coffee, I’d grab a glass of orange juice and go out on the porch.”

This seemingly small change was monumental for Joyce. “The class helped tremendously. It gave me the support I needed and people to lean on.”

A Battle with Cancer

Even after quitting smoking, Joyce faced one of her toughest challenges: a diagnosis of stage 4 lung cancer. Doctors gave her just a year to live. “It blew my socks off,” she recalls. Despite the devastating news, Joyce leaned on her faith and family to persevere.

With a treatment plan that included chemotherapy and surgery, Joyce fought back. A golf ball-sized tumor near her heart was reduced and eventually removed, giving her a second chance at life. “After the doctors left my room, I felt a peaceful calm come over me,” Joyce says, recalling the moment she decided she would overcome her illness.

Becoming an Advocate

Now cancer-free, Joyce has turned her experience into advocacy. She participates on panels for the Freedom from Smoking Program, sharing her story to inspire others to quit. “If I can save one person’s life, it’s all worth it,” she says.

Joyce emphasizes the impact smoking has beyond the smoker. “It’s not just devastating to me; it’s affected my family and friends. Smoking causes cancer. That’s a proven fact.”

Her message to young people is clear and urgent: “Don’t even start. It’s a road that can be deadly. It makes your hair stink, your clothes stink, and it’s incredibly addictive.”

A Message of Hope and Resilience

Joyce’s story is one of transformation. From struggling with addiction and illness to finding new strength and purpose, she has proven that change is possible. Her journey highlights the importance of seeking support, making healthier choices, and never giving up, no matter how tough the fight.

If you or someone you know is struggling with smoking addiction, programs like Freedom from Smoking offer tools and resources to help break free. As Joyce’s story shows, it’s never too late to choose health and hope over addiction.

This story was filmed in 2011, and Joyce passed away in 2014.