Like you Art I had a few biopsies by a maxillofacial surgeon on the white patches on the floor of my mouth over about a 5 year period. These were negative but the biopsy in 2006 was not. Met up with an ex colleague (doctor) last week who knew about the cancer. He asked if I was still smoking. My first reaction was to laugh as I thought it was a silly question but I guess not. Like Christine I gave up a week before the surgery. I was a heavy smoker but the cancer put an end to that for good. Like a former addict I know not to risk having even one !!
Best of luck recovering from all you have been through recently.