Let me echo Eileen's post about going to a physical therapist. My ENT (who was wonderful in every other way) blew me off on this one and told me I didn't need PT after a radical neck dissection. About 4-5 weeks later I could barely lift my left arm.

I've been going to a PT for about five weeks now, and it has made a world of difference. I'm still not where I want to be, but my pain level is way down... Get thee to a PT!! Plus it feels good when they massage your neck and shoulders...

Eric

Tongue cancer (SCC), diagnosed Oct. 2003 (T2 N0 M0). Surgery to remove tumor. IMRT Radiation 30x in Dec 2003 - Jan. 2004. Recurrence lymph node - radical neck dissection June 2004. Second round of rad/chemo treatments ended Sept. 2004.