Do you have a T that fills in for him? This would be really hard for me to deal with and from experience I know that the r/s needs to be validated. I am working with new T 20 years later and still struggling with closure on the r/s with first T. Many people that are chronically ill still want to work because work gives meaning to their lives. At my work I see patients with very devastating illnesses still working from their computers in the hospital bed.Or the phone or visits from the boss. We had a doctor at work who was forced to retire because he had pancreatic cancer and then he died 2 weeks later. My advice to you is to get a transitional T and explain the situation to that T. Then if your T regains his ability to work so be it. Your r/s with him is real and will need to be grieved. In the meantime send him a card or email or something telling him how you feel. I worry my new T will die or retire or something before we are done. She is older and could retire anytime. I am sorry for your situation. I send you peace and comfort. I wish I could wash away all illness and tragedy from life but I cant, so I send validation and encouragement for your sorrow. And maybe a few tears.