Nellie, Please don't get discouraged, don't ask the doctor for a while they tend to tell you the worst case. I noticed significant recovery within the first week after radiation ended. Everybody is different, you just have to go with it.

Mark, 21 Year survivor, SCC right tonsil, 3 nodes positive, one with extra-capsular spread. I never asked what stage (would have scared me anyway) Right side tonsillectomy, radical neck dissection right side, maximum radiation to both sides, no chemo, no PEG, age 40 when diagnosed.