Francesca, I had 37 radiation treaments, as well as chemo, and I have all the saliva I need, seriously. I would guess about 95% of pre-treatment amount. I just want you to know that with IMRT, saliva can often be preserved.

The only lasting effect from radiation for me is that drinking any wine at all is like putting a lit match in my mouth as my tongue just cannot tolerate any alcohol. This is probably a good thing, but was a disappointment for me.

I just want you to know that if you do decide to have radiation, you will not be changed so much that you cannot live a normal life.

My thought was that knowing how persistent this cancer is, I wanted to hit it with everything available. That was more than 5 years ago and I feel absolutely fine and am very active and social.

Whatever decision you make, I wish you good health.