He can also talk now, without danger of messing up anything. So that will make life much much easier, although it probably still hurts him a little.
The scar isn't too bad at all. Definitely there, but its from behind his ear around his neck, and not visible when you look at him from the front. His beard will probably almost entirely cover it.
I'm so glad that everything is going well. He'll get to heal for a few more weeks, and then he starts radiation.