I would really question the pain meds Kerry. What kind of pain is he having now? If it's the shoulder and neck pain, the physical therapy can work wonders. My DH has been going for PT for months now and part of the therapy is massage and stretching. It really has helped him. I think once your DH is weaned away from the heavy meds completely he will have more energy. It made such a difference with my DH, when he came off those meds completely. He has been working full time for several months now. He still has his bad days, but he does push himself through those. I think my DH is older than yours and I think he feels that if he doesn't get up and going his life will too soon be over.

My DH has the odor too. It has improved, I noticed it just this week. He still can't swallow well and the swallow study last week shows we have a way to go before the J tube can be removed. He is finally able to swallow a bit of ice cream, which he enjoys everyday now.

I feel for you.