yes you should never cut the fan leaves or any leaves on a plant that aren't already diseased or dead. That is where the plant soaks up the rays to make the sugars etc...for the buds. It won't kill it, it may slow the flowering down a bit, but in the future don't cut that stuff off. I made the same mistake once, and a lot of first time growers do.... you have learned a good lesson here.... Don't dry your stuff in the microwave dude. you pretty much waiste everything you worked so hard to grow... it doesn't need to be completely dark where you dry them. actually some indirect light is good. That's how I dry mine and it works great. Drying the whole plant will take longer so I cut each branch to dry on it's own. It works well and a lot faster. It was probably taking so long because you had it in an enclosed space. I dry mine out in the bedroom, and trust me the buds are really potent, sticky, smooth, and great tasting...... Just give it a shot next time... Good luck