Snodderley - thank you for your input and views. Yes, I am now pretty good at patience, partly because I have a life, and also little to no expectations. I would like him to come through the fog for his sake. He was a good and lovely man before all of this, I think it is worth remembering that while we are doing this for us, we also care and continue to care for our spouse, and to wish them well. We would not have married and stayed married if we had no feelings. Compassion and love are good for our soul, if nothing else. It isn't just about being loved back.

Curiously i think my son was more disturbed than i was - he contacted his middle brother to check he hadn't given out our number [he hadn't, i knew that] and then i got an email from middle son who also thought it was a bit freaky, and worried that I was OK . . . .