One never knows.

I think. About what might cause the onset of Alzheimer’s. And whether it can be delayed. In some instances. Or even be prevented. Take dear Jeanne. I noticed a decline in her mental acuity. Around the time. That she had two hip replacement surgeries. Six months apart. Both times. Jeanne had a general anesthesia. Knocking her out. For several hours. Had I the opportunity to do it over again.  I’d insist on a local anesthesia. A spinal injection. Cutting off feeling to lower half of the body. But keeping her conscious. Throughout the surgery.  I’d insist, too, going into the surgery. With Jeanne. To hold her hand. To keep her relaxed. With soothing words. Creating a calming, almost hypnotic presence in the operating room. Yes, I’m leery of general anesthesia. I avoid them. Much rather put up with pain. There are studies. That support my bias. Of course, it could be. That Jeanne was predisposed to Alzheimer’s. It was in her genes. Her mother had Alzheimer’s. But still. Maybe the onset could have been delayed. Had she avoided the hip surgeries. One never knows. But it doesn’t hurt to speculate. --Jim Broede