Thank you all for writing me. Been to the ENT and what I have is a regrowth of tonsil tissue and "normal vascular variation." I asked about a biopsy and he said it wasn't necessary and I asked about a followup and he said I could come back any time. So, I will be back in 3 months.

It was a terrible weekend but I'm taking NO MORE SMOKING from it. Sure, as the ENT says, I'll "always be more vulnerable" to cancer, but quitting won't hurt.

I've told my vacationing family. Even though it was good news, they cried. No more smoking.

And I'll make oral cancer screening just as much a part of my routine as the annual skin check, dental check-up and the dreaded 5-year colonoscopy plan.

Thanks again to all of you would thought of me and my thoughts will be with you.

John