This is my first time posting. Although my concern for a recurrence is very real and ever-present, I have been cancer free for 8 years. I hope that helps the newly diagnosed. I have been reading many of your posts for over a year but decided that I wanted to get to know some of my fellow survivors. I've actually felt rather sneaky reading your heartfelt thoughts, fears and concerns that I have had as well. Thanks to all of you for providing so much encouragement, hope and practical advice on dealing with a little understand cancer-we really are in it together!

welcome, and seeing others make it as far as you have gives me a little hope. As I am always worried about every little pain.

Hi and thanks for the welcome - you were the first to respond to my intro! I think I was reading one of Brian Hill's responses to others asking "Where are the long term survivors - are there any!? And he said that though there probably aren't as many as we'd like (and that's why we're here to support each other using this forum) that there are long term survivors who have just moved on. I decided that we can never afford to just move on - whatever life experience - and cancer is a "life experience" - we're dealing with - it helps to know that other people have come out on the other side. I look forward to getting to know other survivors who are just trying to make it through each day just like me and you! Make sure you trust your medical team - my oral surgeon was a pitbull and was not well liked because he was 100 % pro-patient. I'm living proof that he put me first. Make sure you feel confident with those providing your treatment and follow-up

Welcome to OCF and congratulations on being cancer free for 8 years. It would be great if you filled in the signature portion of your profile so everyone can rad about your diagnosis, location and treatment steps.

Anytime a new survivor comes on board it is very exciting. Unfortunately the fear of recurrence probably never leaves any of us, but on a personal level, I find I do think about it less often now.

I wish you continuing good health.

I second, and then third Angelia and Jerry. 8 years... man! Given the rapid advances in medicine these days I'd love to hear how the treatment differed those few years ago, if at all.

Thanks for saying hello and congrats.

David 2

I found this board in a specific look for survivors of oral cancer. After I was diagnosed, all I found was the normal stuff on the internet and I felt like I was doomed.

Then I found this site and I realized that i had a fighting chance. I also learned a whole lot about what was coming.

This site made me a better patient. Thanks for sharing your story. I'm six months out from treatment and can only imagine eight years! My son will be 21 and that will be something to see.

It is definitely an "upper" to hear someone with 8 years survival. Like Kelly, I was looking all over the internet and all I saw was words like, "Unfortunately the five-year survival rate for oral cancer is very low especially if it has spread to the lymph nodes." I felt nothing but doomed. I even considered just going to Sweden and New Zealand and any other place I've been wanting to go before I died and forgetting the awful treatment all together. That was until I found this site and saw all the brave peope who encouraged me to go to treatment and I could make it through. Angelia especially helped me because we started at virtually the same time and had a lot of similar issues. We private mailed a lot and we both made it, despite the fear of the dreaded mask and that awful feeding tube. I sure hope I can still write something on here in 8 years.

Scootersmom, welcome to OCF. Im glad you have 'shown' yourself. I love seeing posts like your about survivors. Eight years is a long time, congrats!!!!

Christine - thanks for the welcome. I probably had this for closer to 9 years but couldn't get my "dental professionals" to take this seriously. In his defense, he may never have been trained in identifying something suspicious, so I was very surprised at my outcome when I finally took control of the situation. After surgery, I was starting to "unhoard" everything I had collected over the years thinking the end was near. The mind can be very powerful working for or against you. I'm glad I got it under control - I would be missing some great stuff!! One day at a time...

Hi, Scootersmom,

Your eight years plus survival is very encouraging. Congratulations! And welcome to OCF.