Carol, Im so sorry your husband is having such a hard time! As a caregiver you have what feels like the weight of the world on your shoulders. It must be so difficult to watch someone you love struggle and trying to help but only managing to feel helpless to them. I just cant imagine how hard this is for you.
Your husband is right about where most of us were after only 3 weeks post rads. Recovery takes a LONG time, much longer than any of us would like. Its full of ups and downs with some setbacks thrown in here and there. Everything really will get better very soon. He is almost at the point that we call "crawling out of the tunnel". One day very soon he will wake up feeling slightly better than he did the day before. He will realize he has finally made some progress and then the healing will begin. Radiation is progressive and continues to work for weeks after finishing treatments.
The thick gunky mucous last only about a month before it overnight turns into the dry mouth phase. He can always go see his ENT or oncologist to get suctioned out. Ask your doc for a prescription for a portable suction machine so he can do it at home.
Rinsing with seltzer water, using a waterpik on its lowest setting and continuing to rinse with baking soda, salt and 16 oz of warm water all will help as well. Some members have found relief with gargling with seltzer water.
His intake still must be your main focus. Every single day he needs a minimum of 2500 calories and 48-64 oz of water. This needs to continue until he hits the one year post rads mark. His nutrition is what will heal him and get him back on his feet. If you can push him to take in more, even 3500 calories its not too much for this phase. The more he takes in the better he will feel.
Here is a recipe for something I used to make and drink when I went thru treatments. The shake has anywhere from 1200-2000 calories depending on how you make it. The list of foods might help too, they mostly have a smoother texture and arent spicy which should be easier to tolerate.
Easy to Eat Food List (All measurements are estimates)
Giant High Calorie Choc-Peanut Butter Milkshake3 or 4 cups chocolate ice cream (regular/full fat type)
2 tablespoons peanut butter (smooth type)
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
1 or 2 cups whole milk (can substitute half and half to add even more calories)
1 scoop carnation instant breakfast
1 scoop high protein whey powder (check with doc if this is ok)
Blend this extra long to make it very smooth and creamy so it goes down easier. If the shake is too thick, add more milk to thin it down to what works best for you.
Hang in there, things really will begin to improve very soon.
