Hello DEG04!

Welcome to the community. I know how difficult it is to see someone you love suffering and feeling like your hands are tied behind your back. Unfortunately, there is no real normal course for recovery, it depends on the person and many other factors. We all experience(d) pretty much the same things but not necessarily in the same order and for the same duration of time.

I had the thick secretions for about 8 weeks after radiation and for a couple of weeks even during the 9th month. As a general rule, take your husband's weight divided by two. This is the MINIMUM ounces of water he should be drinking per day. Even Gatorade in the tube would be better or Pediolite. Driving across town in the car with the temperature in the 90's and humid would require about 20 ounces of water for the ride to just break even. Water or hydration is one of the most important things to minimize the side effects.

The eating will come. Be sure and use Boost or Ensure often. Boost even comes in a version with extra protein and extra fat. Keep the calories up until the energy comes back.

You are truly a special person to be in the role you are and your husband is so fortunte to have you. Hang in there, it will get better.

Ed

SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023