Hi Amy -
I just wanted to welcome you also. My husband and I grew up in Winona, now living in Florida, land of black socks and plaid shorts....and voter discrepencies. smile
My husband has had 3 bouts of SCC (within 5 years), all on gum or inside cheek. He has lost 3 teeth total and part of his jaw via "shaving" with all the surgeries. He never required radiation because all were so small, and had clean margins, so they decided against it. Sounds like that will hold true for you too. He did have a neck dissection with first surgery, and the nodes were also clear. He never smoked and isn't much of drinker, but does have leukoplakia, which may be the origin of the individual cancers. I agree with Mark (and all the posters) that you are young, have much to look forward to, and the cancer was caught early, so you will "do fine". I also have high hopes for you. Who found the cancer? Was it you or a doctor? Keep us updated on your progress.
Warmly, JaneP

Husband: 3 SCC gum and cheek cancers 2002, 2005, 2006: surgery only. Scans clear after removal of small, well differentiated, non-invasive cancers. No radiation. 4th SCC lip diagnosed 4/13/07 - in situ, removed in biopsy. More lip removed 2/8/08 - dysplasia. 2 Biopsies 3/17/09 no cancer (lichenoids)