[quote=Jenkensmom] Lately though, the more I read on this website I'm finding more and more that most of you have had recurrences. Is this really the "norm?"[/quote]
Diane recurrence definitely is not the norm.
May I suggest that you and Paul might like to read the Forum "Survivor Stories?"
In particular the topic �Survivor Check in� which is now 60 pages long.
Here is the link and you can go back over the pages to see how many of us are doing and celebrating long term anniversaries.
http://oralcancersupport.org/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=30492&page=60
I for one am now 6 years cancer free.
Best wishes to you and your husband.
Gabriele

Diane

It's simply not true that most of the 8,000 plus members of OCF forum (present and past) have recurrences. It is certainly not the norm. Instead, it is true that those OCF members who had recurrences are among the more prolific posters (certainly not the only ones, prime example: DavidCPA).
You will note that the new posters are usually in the throes of being diagnosed and treated. But once they have survived and thrived and not have a recurrence, I see less of their posts. I have experienced the major fear of patients: the treatment that almost killed me did not kill the cancer. Having felt that fear and now knowing that is not necessarily fatal as I thought, I see my posts as offering hope. although periodically I point out that the recurrence club is much smaller than the OCF club.
Of course everyone has their own reasons for posting on OCF or not posting - I can only speak for myself.
Charm

I agree with everyone Diane.
I remember when we were finishing up and I was in the panic mode of "what if", it seemed to me there was always a recurrence happening. But others are right, the folks giving the most advice are the ones that have experienced the most and they have the most to share to help all of us.
Kevin is now over the one year mark and we are looking to the future. I used to almost obsess about recurrence on an hourly basis, but now I rarely think about it, until I read something on here that scares me. My sister says I shouldn't come on the forums, but I feel like I received a tremendous amount of help here and would like to return the favor. I have been busy with my 88 year old Mom lately so haven't been as attentive as I would like, but there are many of us, so it's ok. I do keep track everyday, just don't always post.
Anyway, just think of yourself as being part of the cured club when you're done and keep plugging away!!
Good for Paul doing so much for himself! That's just great!
Merry Christmas,
Kathy