Rosemary,

I too have had a neck disection followed by 8 weeks of radiation. Yes, I was starting to feel pretty run down the last couple of weeks and a bit discouragred, but then it was over and the healing begins. It is slow but everyday is a little better.
Like Brian, I lost the chocolate part of taste buds and still have trouble with spicy. Dry mouth is something that's just a part of my life now and not really a bad thing because it can be managed.
And I really don't know to this day if I realized how bad I was feeling until I started feeling better. It does get better - the energy returns, the appetite returns and as trite as it is to say, there is a new appreciation for things.
My doctors also went with the standard of radiation and surgery. When I asked after why no chemo I was told all the results weren't in yet on how much more effective they are in combination. But they were harder on the body in combination.
As I'm sure they told your daughter and keep telling me "you are young and healthy" so the aggressive approach is the way to go.
Best of luck and we all undersstand the fear of the treatment,but hope that she can overcome that and get on with the priority of curing the cancer.
Take care,
Dinah