Desmonda is a former legal secretary with three adult children and four grandchildren, three of whom live on the West Coast and one 2 1/2 year-old on the East Coast.

Desmonda began smoking when she was 15. She recalls sneaking cigarettes leaning out her mom's bathroom window. "As foolish as this may sound, smoking was like my comfort blanket," recalls Desmonda.

Desmonda was diagnosed with emphysema. She must take medication twice daily and her lifestyle is very restricted. Desmonda wakes up often at night, short of breath. But for her, the worst part of having emphysema is wondering if she'll ever wake up again.

Desmonda has made many attempts to quit smoking over the years, but even today struggles with the "monster of addiction" to cigarettes.

For more information on emphysema, please visit the American Lung Association.