Husband afraid to tell mom. I seem to be the only one to accept it?

There is definitely no reason to tell her right away if you just got the result. And if she lives far away, that takes the pressure off even more especially if you don't talk to her often. I'd wait a couple months and see if your husband's job situation improves and then tell her or tell her regardless at about the 4 or 5 month mark. Or your husband could always tell her and deal with her because she is his mom, after all.