I think that we have all been there at one time or another. Just when I think that I have let that fear go, something happens to trigger it again. But don't be afraid to vent as much as you like; this is the place to do it! I had an experience this past summer that let me keep things in perspective. My husband and I were driving home from an art show and we got hit by a fire truck! OK, I survived oral cancer, my husband survived heart problems, and we almost bought it, anyway. Anything can happen anytime to any of us. We just have to keep on keeping on.

Female, nonsmoker, 70, diag. 5/09 after tongue biopsy: stage IV. Left hemi-gloss. and left selec. neck disec. 30 lymph nodes removed May 20. Over 7 weeks daily rads. with three chemo. PEG removed 12/4/09 Am eating mostly soft foods. Back to work 11/09 Retired 4/1/11. 7 clear scans! Port out 9/11. 2/13. It's back: base of tongue, very invasive
surgery involving lifestyle changes. 2/14: Now speaking w/Passey-Muir valve. Considering a swallow study. Grateful to be alive.