Kim, if they are adamant about you holding something in your mouth, ask them if they will hook up suction for you. Perhaps a yankauer suction mouthpiece would work instead of the syringe. There has to be a way to do this so you are comfortable and they are able to get the radiation in the right place. They just need to be a little creative!
Andrea

SCC L lat tongue,Dx 9/15/05 T1N0MX L MND and L lateral hemiglossectomy 10/03/05. Recurrence 11/15/06 2nd surgery 12/04/06 hemiglossectomy 3rd surgery 01/15/07 tonsillectomy Radiation 01/25/07 to 03/08/07 3-D/CRT X 30