Sounds to me that you have the patience thing in the bag. Look at how long you've been holding down the fort.
Sandrika is absolutely right about his moods. When my H used to go deep within himself, I learned to just smile and wait it out until the body-snatchers returned him from the mother ship. Helps if there is someone else handy to have a conversation with while he 'zones out' though, doesn't it.
Congrats. Sounds like you are moving in the right direction.
