Ear Pain 3 wks after Tonsillectomy

I am a 37 yr old female who had a tonsillectomy on Feb 28, 2010. It is 23 days now post op and I am still getting ear pain, mainly on the right side.

I have just this week started to be able to eat again, although what I eat is not anything hard or chewy, it's simple foods that are on the soft side. I am maintaining my weight, but it requires eating several small portions during the day.

In the evening, the ear pain returns. I had a 3 wk post op with my ENT surgeon on Monday. He told me that I "should not" be having ear pain still yet and that if I were having any residual pain, to just "deal with it." In his opinion, my throat looks normal in the healing process and he told me to keep eating all that I can. Then he said I was released from his care and yeah, the "deal with it" line was not all that professional if you ask me.

Has anyone else had ear pain that late in the process? One of his nurses told me that I could have it for 4 to 6 wks. More information than I got from him. If anyone can help, I would appreciate it.

I also still have some lumpy looking tonsil beds. When do they smooth out? My mother had a tonsillectomy at 56 years old and hers is all smooth looking. That was 9 years ago, so I know she is totally healed where I am still in the process. Still, when does it start to look somewhat normal? And what color are they supposed to be? Mine are a patchwork of dark pink to salmon with a little white mixed in.

I go back to work on Monday and I am still in a considerable amount of pain, especially at night.

Thank you for any replies!