welcome Amanda. It's true that when tx end, things keep getting worse for up to a few weeks as the soft tissues in the mouth and throat continue cooking, but it does get better. Our other friends are right, living with pain is unneccesary and bad for morale, which is needed to get through this time.

David R. 65 yr old male non-smoker, light drinker, stage 3 or 4, depending on which doc you ask, scc rt. tonsil, 2 nodes, 7 weeks radiation and chemo. No surgery. Teatment ended 3/20/08. PET scan 8/08 showed no cancer.
And now, as of oct, 2010, caregiver to wife, Linda, with breast cancer.
May, 2013, Linda diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer. Enuf already.