he's back at the home.  better?  I couldn't say.  Mom thinks that as he was getting better he started faking some of his "non-responsiveness" because one of the male nurses called him on it... well enough to be a pisser, I guess!
just kind of a relief that nothing awful is happening right now.  sister is being genuinely conciliatory, which is a welcome change from the haranguing she's felt entitled to fling.
whew.
thanks all for the many hugs!