Hi Gino,
During radiation I was given a tongue guard which, to this day, I still don't know the purpose of! I used to think it was to keep my tongue in a certain position. Now I wonder if it was to guard it from all the radiation. I'm honestly not sure. I can tell you that I have good taste function and my tongue never seems as sore as the inside of my mouth does. It must seem very tempting to you to forego radiation after reading this board. The side effects ARE difficult, no doubt. But they are also easier then our other options, which are a recurrence and possibly death. Every time I find myself feeling discouraged by my dry mouth or the fact that I can't eat as well as before, I make myself think about not being here to do anything! The first year after radiation is hard but then it simply becomes our new normal and we have to think really hard to remember what it was like BEFORE radiation. Sounds like your docs are giving you good care and advice, keep us posted.
Minnie