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I'd be concerned that the ongoing GI fluid loss (i.e, the high ileostomy output) is the root of the problem. It indicates some level of small bowel dysfunction causing malabsorbtion and until that is fixed (or resolved) oral feeding won't be very effective (since the food won't be absorbed well). Presumably they are blaming it on poor serum protein levels causing bowel edema and hope that by feeding him his protein levels will improve. Likely that is a factor, but the duration and degree you report seems unusual. You might want to question the GI consultant (not the intern or resident) as to why this has continued. Ask if they have checked for "mesenteric venous thrombosis". Ask whether he thinks checking for other small bowel injury or pathology by endoscopy and biopsy might he helpful (it might or might not). Perhaps all this has been considered or done, perhaps not.
Sometimes family questions serve to refocus a consultant's attentions on a difficult case like this, and that always is helpful. At very least you want a clear explanation from the attending gastroenterologist about what he thinks is going on, why he thinks that, what else has been considered and ruled out, what he expects to see for progress, and when (or if) the lack of progress would cause him to reconsider his diagnosis.
Another thing to realize is that full dose IV feeding (TPN) usually kills people's appetite and severe illness itself often temporarily destroys taste buds which can then take a month or more to recover....once the patient is fully better.
It is good to hear his strength is improving, but until they can get the lines (and their attendant risk of blood infection) out of him, and his GI tract working things are still in the balance.
Good Luck.
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