Jon no one can tell you how long it will take you to heal or what you will be left with 3 years from now (people still find improvement years out) everyone is individual. I could tell you that by week 3 I was feeling better, I could also tell you that by may 19 - I was drinking without pain, and able to talk, I also had my peg removed (2 weeks after radiation finished) but none of that information will help you because we are all individuals, heal differently, have had different drs. And despite the treatments being the same, location of tumors, their size, overall health of the person, and genetics etc.. All play a role in where the treatment (radiation) is aimed and how you will heal, and any long term damage. There are somethings that may never improve, but usually for most these are few to non existent. No one here who has responded to you, hasn't tried to help, as far as I've read they've all tried to answer your questions, and they are pretty much all saying the same thing, we honestly can't tell you the when's or what's - despite most of us having been through the same or similar treatment, we all respond differently, and there are many other factors. why do you think your dr. Can't answer the same questions? Because they don't know either. We're here to help you try and deal with some of the side effects of what you've gone through because we've all tried different things and know what has worked for us, but it's a crap shoot for the most part. An example - I was fine during chemo - no problems. I lost 22 lbs through radiation. A friend had the same treatment, & same dr. He puked his guts out for the entire 6 weeks and lost 70 lbs. we're all different. Everyone is entitled to a dark day, or week or month, but usually the best way - I find to deal with situations is do something about it. Kudos for pushing through it.