Thanks for your responses - nothing unusual in this, then, the length of time. Izzy I followed your posts for a long time and I felt at the time that our experiences were very similar. I knew your husband had died, but not as a consequence of a choking episode. It must have been an awful shock. For my Mum, living with us for over 10 years, I had wished to care for her to the end, but her behaviour became such that this was not going to be possible as her behavioural symptoms were (and are) extreme. Apart from her dementia she has no additional disease that we are aware of.
In asking how long is the disease process, it may seem that I am waiting for her to die, and though this would be the kindest for her, I don't want to be without her. I am beginning to wonder if, though, she will actually outlive me, and am thinking I should leave instructions for just that event. None of us know of course, but I have always tried to think ahead on most issues where possible and I hadn't accounted for that possibilty that I may go first.
Rather dark thoughts today, on such a beautiful day!