Max,
You are right at the turning point where it'll get really rough for a while - for as long as 3-4 weeks after you finish radiation in fact. the fatique will start showing up about now. Fasten your safety belt and hang on - keep focused on your new cancer free life after treatment.

Smaller bites, lots of water to wash it down, use a straw to direct the water where you want it. I swotched to liquid foods after about 3 weeks. Lots of experimentation with different food flavors. I never lost "coffee" flavor taste bud for instance so I drank Carnation espresso flavored Instant Breakfast and Hagen Daz coffee milk shakes. I just couldn't get down Boost or Ensure although some here actually like the stuff.

You'll need a swish & spit pain killer as radiation progresses as you start to get mouth sores. Ask your doc for some "pink magic". It's a liquid compound of benedryl, morphine and lidocaine (there are other variations). It will give you about 15 minutes of swallowing time. I also used to pop a 15mg morphine sulfate tablet, as well, about 30 minutes before drinking ot eating. You've GOT to stay on top of nutrition and fluid intake at all costs. If you can't then I strongly suggest that you get a PEG. I did it without one, against medical advice, and a few of us have pulled it off, but it takes courage, grit and determination to do this.

The good news is that your taste buds should recover and that will start about a month or so after you complete treatment. It is usually a phase in process with salt taste usually being first - sweets being last.

I was diabled for well over a year and my wife was my caregiver as well. Be sure to let het know that we have a thread for caregivers as well.