Karen, I found the weeks after treatment to be the hardest. Psychologically and physically my husband was destroyed and it took awhile along with some antidepressants to get him moving again. He took to his bed and slept most of the day.
It is extremely hard being the caregiver and watching them suffer, and boy do they suffer with this cancer. I felt like I was dealing and negotiating with a toddler. It was so frustrating because he was so sick but so stubborn. He became more cooperative as he began to feel better but it took time.

But you need some outlets for yourself. Take a walk every day, visit friends,just make yourself get out of the house for awhile. I taught myself how to knit and knitted many, many scarves (it's still the only thing I can make and not very well)You won't have anything left to give if you don't replenish yourself.
He may just need a little break from all of this. See if you can get him to gargle before he tries to swallow anything. Does he need pain meds before he eats? I f he continues to fight you call the team so they can talk to him. He could also be depressed and rightfully so but might need meds. There's only so much you can do and he's probably too sick to care right now. Give him a day off but tell him he will have to rally if he wants to beat this thing and minimize complications. What;s that saying, you can take a horse to the trough but can't make him drink, is this right ? I suppose it depends on what the drink is.
My thoughts are with you, keep me posted, not sure what else to say that might help


caregiver to spouse, 55 yrs, dx 9/09 SCC BOT, T2N0,nonsmoker, nondrinker, HPV 16+ ,Lt hemiglossectomy, lt modified radical neck dissection, lt tonsillectomy,PEG 11/08 removed 2/09, 30IMRT, CT neg 4/09, neg CT 10/09