DennisH, I noticed on your message that you had both tonsils removed. Did both have scc or just the one? On June 10,2008 I just had a tonsillectomy and adnoidectomy with additional tissue removed as well. I still can't swallow hardly anything yet and the pain in my ear is like a nail had been nailed in my left ear and into the inside of my throat. I have Kadian 50 mg, (extended release morphine) which I take every 12 hrs and Hydromophone to use between for breakthrough pain for my back so I already had pain meds before I had surgery or cancer. But it hardly will even dull the pain in my ear and throat. Did you use the lidocane after your tonsil surgery? If so, how long did you have to wait before you used it post surgery? My ENT didn't give me anything when I left the hospital on the June 13th. I was wondering if it would be okay for me to use the lidocane (my pcp gave me the lidocane before I saw and ENT). It sure sounds like you have your hands full with all you are doing and dealing with cancer too. And since you have already had your radiation treatments you are well on your way to recovery! That is wonderful. I haven't started radiation yet. Good luck and I will e-mail you one the other. Thank you, Angel