Many thanks, Christine. I added my signature--and yes, I do know Kerri and have met Margaret as well when I first reached out to the online forum last September prior to my surgery but unfortunately, they both live quite a distance from me and they lead extremely busy lives whereas I'm retired so we don't see one another.
I do know about the free oral cancer screenings this month--thanks to Kerri--and have signed up for one in my area.

Squamous cell carcinoma of tongue (never smoked and not HPV related) stage 4 diagnosed 8-2016; #6 trach, partial glossectomy, reconstruction. neck dissection 9-2016. 3 nodes out of 25 removed were positive for cancer--refused radiation & chemo; monitored via quarterly MRIs.