Cynthia, I didn't have RAD or Chemo, but was in real pain from all of the surgery. When I left the hospital my Doctor gave me a script for liquid percocet. I couldn't even take it with a spoon, I was so swollen from everything, so I'd just swig it from the bottle. I believe I had two scripts of this then he put me on percocet tablets. In the beginning I had to break them up into applesauce to get them down. After two scripts of that he told me take tylenol. Well, I was eating those babies like candy. Even today, almost two years later, I take two Alleve every morning. Only really bad days, I might take one more at night. Since I recently went through bone grafts I was back on percocet for awhile. My doctors are really conservative about drugs too. But I look it this way they are looking out for my welfare. Don't know if this helped or not. Take care and tell your Mom she is not alone. Anne.