I hated this when it happened with my H. I would spill my guts out to him and he would just stare at me, going "yes, I udnerstand" (validating maybe? Ugh, dear God!!!) and then...nothing. No response, no change, no discussion... He still does it.
I am sorry about Nathan. I still get tonsilitis (sp)2-3 times a year and it sucks!!! K