Post Operative Depression

Does he have to have further treatment? Maybe, up to now, he's focussed on having the operation. Now that that's over, perhaps he finds the prospect of more treatment rather daunting.

I hope you can find a way to help him through this.

It can’t be easy for anyone diagnosed with cancer. I have often wondered how they cope with relentless tests, doctors’ visits, months of treatments etc etc. It takes an extremely strong person to cope with it and come out of it unscathed. I have seen my poor strong brother break down many times, during the course of his treatment. He was so depressed. During a hiatus in his treatment, he came down to stay with me, because he felt his devoted wife ‘did not understand’. That’s just how it is.
Be there for him. It’s hard on you, but just be there. You will get through it. My brother lived for a very long time after the diagnosis and treatment.

Thankyou Septimia, we don't know yet if any further treatment will be required. Yes, he was totally focussed on the operation and maybe he feels sort of empty now. Gentle persuasion worked today so will continue with that 😊

Thankyou crazyH, I can't imagine the pressure of continuous treatments. Hubby says that every hour he has something done! Hopefully his mood will lighten as he begins to improve. All I can do at the moment is be there to positively support him - which I do willingly 💕

Your OH must be feeling very flat after building up to the op. Post operatively you just feel as if you want to flop out, but people keep coming and dragging you out of bed..... it feels very tough. It is likely that when he gets home his mood will lift with familiar things and people around him.

could it be due to pump-head, or something similar

I am sorry to read this Pebble it may be the anaesthetic. Many decades ago I had a fairly minor procedure which ended up with me having clinical depression it wasn’t until another operation years later when I mentioned what had happened that i was told the anaesthetic was almost certainly the problem and adjustments were made.
I hope your DH feels better soon

Yes, as a community nurse I dealt with this. I think it's a combination of factors, anaesthetic, loss of body part, 'assault' on your body - and in this case, wondering where it is all going!
Don't worry about the 'rudeness' - they are used to it!
You are absolutely right to keep insisting on activity, but don't push too much - a circuit of the ward sounds right - do they have an outdoor space you can take a wheelchair to?
Keep everything simple - small books (e-reader best) with old favourites, favourite tunes, small 'bites' and for me, ice to cool the water you must drink a lot of. Sometimes simple games and puzzles are useful.
Say to him that you know he doesn't feel like anything, but will feel better for doing a small amount.
good luck