My husband was in surgery for 7 1/2 hours. They removed his colon. He was under the influence of heavy anesthesia for at least twelve hours. That was nearly three years ago. After the surgery his personality changed. He had the soul of a poet before. He was highly intelligent and very articulate. Still is. But now he's more matter-of-fact. Since the surgery, when I try to explain what I mean by something, he thinks I'm arguing. Could being under the influence of those drugs for so long have caused this? His in his upper 60s. His sleep patterns changed.
Did the surgery and chemo speed the progression of dementia? Who knows. Did we pay mom more attention after the surgery? Yes, probably. Did the surgery and anesthesia change her? Yes, definitely? We will never know for sure what the cause was. Mom is now in the later stages of Alzheimer's Disease. The surgery was ten years ago.
Love him while you have him.