Judy,
If you will go to Survivor Stories here at the forum and click on " Long Time Survivors " you will read the story of my friend, William Phelan, who has had oral cancer and recurrences since 1980 or so. He has gone through some rather grim procedures, but is still alive and doing quite well.
Unfortunately all of us cancer patients and survivors have to live with the sword dangling precariously above our heads...but it does not necessarily spell our demise.

Take care,
Danny G.

Stage IV Base of Tongue SCC
Diagnosed July 1, 2002, chemo and radiation treatments completed beginning of Sept/02.