Thanks for all the replies and encouragement. I met with the radiation oncologist today and he explained that even though the tumor was removed with good margins and only two lymph nodes had microscopic traces of cancer, the cancer had to move from the oral cavity to the neck. It is unknown if it moved via the bloodstream or through the lymphatic ducts or along a nerve, hence the recommendation for radiation. He was familiar with the reduced radiation studies from Sloan-Kettering, but he said it hasn't become a recommended protocol yet. I also met with a medical oncologist just to be sure there would not be a recommendation for chemo and she concurred. I have a CT scan of the chest scheduled for next week just to be sure the cancer hasn't spread to the chest area. The consensus is that no radiation now may equal radiation + chemo + more toxicity later if the cancer returns. I still have a few weeks to make a decision.