Charm,
Thanks for looking up that treatment in Germany. I felt a lot better about my future until I read Brian's post.

Brian,
I was about 3 months before you on that XRT machine but since I was an unknown primary, they may not have fried my throat as much as yours. I am sorry you are having so many issues. Thus far I seemed to have dodged those bullets. The only new issues I have noticed is my saliva is very thick when I wake up in the morning and I need to drink more fluids to stay hydrated. The latter may be aging more than radiation but who knows. Since I had my total laryngectomy in 2001, I have been able to eat many things I couldn't eat at all after radiation. Not a good way to avoid dysphagia, but a pleasant side affect of the surgery.

I don't expect your 'used by date' to be coming up any time soon, unless you do something silly on your motorcycle or airplane. People like us are to stubborn to die young.

Take care and thanks,
Eileen