I started working DX about 10 years ago when I was relicensed after a long, long period with a lapsed license. Also, I was basically QRT from mid 2002 to late 2006, so the total intense DXing period is about 6 years. I am now in the mixed DXCC lists as 323/321, and have about 2 or three new ones for my next submission. But getting the last few will require some DXpeditions to some places that are seldom activated, such as Navassa, North Korea, Glorioso (I had one from there, but it was DXCC rejected), and a few others.
My only two DXCC entities now on the deleted list are West Germany and Canal Zone, from my larval days of operation in the 1960s when I had 90 watts and a dipole.
I finally collected enough cards on 40 and 80 to qualify for 5 Band, have a DXCC on 17, and am very close on 12.
I find being on Logbook of the World is quite helpful.