Lola You are doing great and hang on to your sense of humour you're going to need it! :-) Yes throwing himself into work is how your H is avoiding other feelings and things he doesn't want to think about. My H was off sick for a lot of the time and threw himself into helping out in an antiques shop! He was never paid for any of it and was there nearly every day. Thanks for the good wishes for the op and I will hopefully catch up with you all afterwards.