Welcome to OCF! You will find lots of info and support to help you with your husbands recovery.
At only 8 weeks post rads your husband has only just started to recover. A complete recovery takes up to 2 full years after going thru rads and chemo. Im sure he must have lost his sense of taste and anything he would try tastes absolutely awful. During the first few months post rads the sense of taste slowly returns. But what you think something should taste like it doesnt, even water can taste horrible. You husband probably has an extremely sore throat and some mouth sores still from the rads and chemo. These can take a very long time to heal.
At about 2 months post rads he is probably well past the thick mucous and now in the "dry mouth" phase where he should be taking tiny sips of water all thru out the day and night. His tongue will stick to the roof of his mouth and his throat and mouth will get so dry he isnt able to talk or swallow.
A patient who uses a feeding tube and does not continue to swallow every single day of their treatment will have swallowing difficulties, making it very dangerous to attempt. The muscles used to swallow quickly forget how to function when not used, even for only a short period of time. This could be another reason why your husband isnt trying to eat and drink. Ask the doc about a barium swallow test and if he can see a speech pathologist to help him relearn how to eat.
The feeding tube for most patients is just a temporary tool used to get thru some of the most difficult days of the patients life. It takes going without using the feeding tube for at minimum one month without weight loss before a good doctor will remove it. During recovery your husband needs higher calories to help rebuild his body. The minimum of 2500 calories is necessary for at least the first year after finishing rads. Water intake daily should be between 48 and 64 oz. I know it sounds like alot but after what his body has been thru it needs extra fuel to bounce back. A diet with higher protein during the recovery phase can help to speed the healing. Many here have found success with smoothies and shakes with some high protein whey powder added. Check with the doc or nutritionist before making any major dietary changes.
The worst of this is behind you both. Take a deep breath and please remember recover is a very long process that cant be rushed. Rads w/ chemo (or even without it) can really do a number on OC patients. After what he has been thru Im sure he cant get better fast enough.
As a caregiver, I know this has been difficult for you as well. Being a caregiver is a tireless, thankless job full of stress and way too much on your shoulders. Try to take some breaks and make time to do something you enjoy at least once a week. Go out to lunch with some friends, see a movie, get a pedicure or manicure or even just go for a nice long walk or scenic car ride by yourself. Everything will get better, it just takes time. For most of us... WAAAYYYY to much time!
Good luck
PS... Sorry, I actually got typing and forgot to address your concern before I ended the reply. I would guess most patients after going thru rads and chemo will continue to use and need their feeding tube thru at least the first 6 months. I think I was able to finally get mine removed at about 10 months post rads. Just remember everyone is different, some will be ok 4 months post rads while others take over a year before they are eating well enough to be free of the tube.
