John, I just want to add to what others are saying. If you have the radiation you will get through it. It's no picnic, but it is manageable. Talk with your doctor and if he thinks you should do it go ahead. I completed my treatments in August of 2009, went back to work part time in October, full time in November. I also had chemo. As Tracy said, it is tough, but dying in your twenties is tougher. You don't want to regret not throwing everything you can at this awful disease!

Female, nonsmoker, 70, diag. 5/09 after tongue biopsy: stage IV. Left hemi-gloss. and left selec. neck disec. 30 lymph nodes removed May 20. Over 7 weeks daily rads. with three chemo. PEG removed 12/4/09 Am eating mostly soft foods. Back to work 11/09 Retired 4/1/11. 7 clear scans! Port out 9/11. 2/13. It's back: base of tongue, very invasive
surgery involving lifestyle changes. 2/14: Now speaking w/Passey-Muir valve. Considering a swallow study. Grateful to be alive.