Hi Ray.....First off, let me say how happy I am for you that there is no sign of cancer after the surgery you had! I tell you - hearing news like that is better than hitting the lotto. It's "priceless". My husband had the modified radical neck dissection done on 2/6/03 - and although the swelling has gone down - he is having the same problem you are experiencing with the "tight/hard as a board" syndrome in the neck. It's been like this now for awhile. He says it feels like someone put a "belt around the neck and started tightening it". He has been to his oral surgeon, radiation oncologist and even a dermatologist - and no one has mentioned anything that could help that. I was wondering - has your doctors advised you on getting any kind of therapy/exercises for your shoulder and neck region? I keep thinking there has got to be more one can do to help the healing process go faster - but perhaps it just takes more time. Eating is still difficult for my husband in many respects - although he has come a long way since when his radiation ended in November 2002. Food gets caught in his throat and he coughs it back up and has to re-swallow. I hope I'm not grossing anyone out too much - but that's his experience the way it is so far. The doctor did STRONGLY advise him to keep eating solids and chewing - that is supposed to help the throat area. As far as answering if this will all get better or be permanent - we are still waiting for the answer to that one ourselves! I hope in a years time (from his surgery date) - his neck and throat will be more supple and feel less constricting. But I guess only time will tell. If you hear anything more from your doctors on this condition or have any more news at all - please keep us informed. Take care and hope you are feeling much better real soon.