I know a man who loved a women, carried a flame for her for a LONG time. He said she had Audrey Hepburn eyes. Who wouldn't fall in love with that. He still has a soft spot in his heart for her. But he understands that this is a fantasy. He has the women of his dreams, his soul mate in his arms now.
You and this girl were not even has beens, you were kids.
Why would you risk destroying your wife while in her weakened condition for something that my be nothing more than a beautiful memory, why ruin it?
Keep the memory alive just as beautiful and innocent as it is now. No one can take that away from you, but if she turns you down flat you could risk losing the beauty of it.
Lets not forget the hurt you could cause your wife. She should be your priority now not a fantasy.
I would bet that if you were sick and unable to have "full sex" that she would not run around behind your back chasing dreams.
You do, as you say, love each other.
Best wishes for your wife, I hope her recovery is quick.
Your friend,
Prettylady