Hi kbmw94,
It sounds like you had quite an adventure … and I imagine that some of the sales people will remember you as “that guy with all the crazy questions” 
Congratulations on your new mattress. It’s sure nice to see when someone ends up with what they want and knows that they made good choices.
As far as a pillow … reply #13 here (which I just posted in another thread) should be enough to get me off the hook for any pillow recommendations. Sometimes suggesting pillows feels a little like when my DH asks me “do you think this makes me look fat?” (in my eyes she looks great in almost anything) and you know you’re headed into no mans land no matter what you answer
I’ve been sleeping on feathers for a while but its time for a change I think. DH really likes the zoned plush high loft latex pillow we just ordered but I’ve only had a chance to try it for a few hours so far. Its different from feathers because it sort of “helps” movement but is stable when you’re still and its soft but more solid feeling than feathers. I occasionally like memory foam but not mostly because I like more freedom of movement when I change positions and because I’m not comfortable sleeping with my face so close to it when I’ve had a few “issues” with a few memory foams. I think I’ll probably keep the feathers as backup and go with the latex as well although I’m thinking to try wool or silk with a linen cover to keep it cool (I like my pillows on the cool side).
If one of our members Budgy sees this … he has some great insight on bedding and accessories and it would be great if he’d chime in on the pillow question and his own preferences and thoughts.
Phoenix