Thank you for responding, Kristen...

My mouth conditions are the perfect storm: dry due to meds, unclean due to depression (got periodontal disease to boot), most probable HPV exposure (had the DNA test below and it came out positive), hairy tongue also, 2-pack a day smoker, rum drinker.

I hope you're right that it could just be the Candida, but it was odd that she said I also have nodules, and said "oh, hard and soft palate involvement"...

Time will tell ...

She also wanted to contact my family doctor.

I'll see about getting an earlier biopsy. That's a good idea.