Hey there Annie -Stage I - good job catching it early but so sorry to hear of this diagnosis. On this forum, we can't tell you what to do just hopefully share our experiences and let those feed your knowledge base so that you ask great questions of your team and feel right about the decisions that you make. You live in a major metro area so access to services will not be a barrier - that's a very good thing!
I too was 38 at the time of my diagnosis - I had tongue cancer - had it removed surgically along with some lymph nodes - the radiation oncologist did not recommend rads at that time. When it was found a year later in tissue in my neck then I had another surgery and chemo/radiation. The way it was explained to me was that the chemo rads were the "big guns" and they kind of wanted to save it for later if needed. So it's been a 2 year course for me. I am fortunate that I have recovered very well and I am comfortable with the treatment choices that I made.

In regard to complications and voice changes - that is something that your ENT/Surgeon should definitely be able to address. Sometimes you just have to ask very specifically!
Take good care - let me know if you feel like chatting!