Hi, Peter
It sounds like you are in good hands for your treatment. They were just beginning to do the TORS surgery when my husband had his treatment and he did not have access to it. His doctors did the best they could at the time to reduce the debilitating effects - which was to replace the the cytotoxic plantinum-based chemo with the Cetuximab. He still had a hefty dose of radiation - 72 grays.
There are some recent study results out that show good results for the TORS / slightly reduced radiation combination. You could ask your doctor about those as compared to the radiation / cisplatin protocol. I'd also ask about the radiation schedule - accerated may yield some advantage, but is harder for the institution to accomodate.
But - just a word about numbers (and also to Deb). When you are stressed, your ability to do math in your head goes to heck in a handbasket. The doctors on the tumour board will be professionaly weighing your individual characteristics with the study and their own personal results when they discuss your case and make the recommendation. Unfortunately, we need at time machine to take us into the future to determine what really is optimal. Our doctor friends emphasized that it is important that you trust your ENT and surgeon. It sounds like you have that, so you should be able to move forward.
Maria