Thanks for all your comments and hugs. I always believe there are so many people worse off than me. Mostly what I wanted to convey is not to enter into any medical procedure without knowing all of the potential side effects. I personally believe in quality of life over quantity as long as one does not have young children at home. I would not have undergone radiation and just taken my chances if I had been bettered informed. I also forget to mention permanent loss of a small area of hair by my left ear and major hearing loss in my left ear that cannot be corrected with a hearing aid. My fluoride toothpaste is prescription. Wish you all well.