2 months tops under "normal" circumstances. My doctors weaned me off of them about then. It certainly mitigated the constipation issues rather dramatically. At least I was able to spend signicantly less time in a fetal position on the bathroom floor ;-)

Your moms issues do seem to be a little protracted but the exposed bone issue might be complicating that.

I had ear pain for quite a while as the eustacian tubes were damaged from the radiation. It has all resolved since.

Parent always say "they're fine" - they don't want to worry you.

She's doing stuff pretty early - I was basically a homebody for about 6 months (but we're all different).