Hi Christine,
I had IMRT radiation and a radical right next dissection. It's been over 5 years, but all the stuff that your worried about gradually got better. Eating is back to normal, salviary and taste. Even if they don't, there are ways around it. Hang in there and figure out what your next adventure will be, you got a good one coming - Dave

2002 diagnosed w/Squamous Cell carcinoma in the lymph, lumpectomy, right neck dissection and IMRT radiation. 5 year cancer free