Hi Gwenny, I'm so sorry to hear of Jimmy's pain and discomfort that he has been having lately, but as Joanna mentioned - there is no need for him to suffer through it like that. My husband who was diagnosed with stage III/IV scc at the base of the tongue - has been and still takes Oxycontin (40mg) for pain, along with Valium for anxiety and Acetaminophen (Tylenol #4) w/codeine (60 mg) also for pain as needed, along with a whole host of other meds for various other ailments. And yes - what Jimmy is going through with the radiation, along with the burned neck and mouth sores - are very common and to be expected - but also keep in mind that it is temporary, as folks have mentioned. Things will get better - in time, and since everyone heals at a different rate, patience is defintely needed! I can tell you that when my husband was going through his radiation - his neck was red, raw and blistering....and if it wasn't for the cream that I was applying (gently!) to his neck - he would have lost it! My husband who was in the Marine corp. during Vietnam - always was a "tough guy" when it came to showing emotions - but I seen him on the verge of tears when he was going through the radiation and it's after-effects. So please tell Jimmy to be strong - to hang in there - and not to be afraid to ask for some pain killers that will work for him, since there is no need for him to suffer like that.