Hello Ben,

First off, if dipping itself makes you an idiot, then we can be idiots together. I dipped for some 30 years. I was,as the Travis Tritt song says, 10 foot tall and bulletproof. I too quit dipping about 6 years ago, then one fishing trip, I decided one dip wouldn't hurt. And actually, I dont think it did. It was the several hundred follow up dips. When the spot showed up on the inside of my cheek, I became worried. I still had a dip occasionally, but I worried. Then the trip to the oral surgeon.

That was September last year. I am finally get back into the swing of things. I have troubles with my shoulder and neck due to the invasiveness of the surgery. Eating sometimes is challenging. But I am alive. And I am so very lucky all things considered.

Now, you are not an idiot. And beating yourself up will do nothing but give you a headache. Now is the time to move forward. You have realized what needs to be done and just as important, you have reached out for a helping hand. You can always reach me through here or by direct email through my website, www.outdoortexan.com , and I will do all I can to lend you the support needed. The people on here are great and no, you dont have to have had cancer to be here.

I wish you only the best on you new direction. You are now a "brother in quit". Take care and God bless, Curtis