Can I still raise children after two lower back surgeries and limited motion? Has anyone had a similar issue?

Question

I have had two laminectomy surgeries to partially remove the L4-5 and L5-S1 discs. I will always have limited lifting and bending capabilites. Is there anyone out there with similar issues who has sucessfully had their own or adopted children? Are there ways to be a stay at home mom with my limitations?

Answer 1

I had 3 kids following L5/S1 laminectomy and still have 2 bulging discs. Where there's a will there's a way! The kids are now 24, 18 and 16. When they were little, I'd make games out of things I couldn't do and they were great little helpers.

Answer 2

I saw an incredible documentary about a woman born with no arms or legs who was givign birth to and raising her own daughter. Not that you're in that kind of shape, but as far as proof that where there is a will there is a way... Do you have family members who would help and want an active role? Do you have a mate? Would you be able to hire a helper, especially in the beginning, so you could have time to figure out and set up systems to help you do what you have to do without hurting yourself? Good luck, whatever you decide.

Answer 3

I used a chiropractor rather than surgery
also use massage therapist with principles in the book (bottom)
Much pain is from muscles below is an example of what may help (based on headaches).
Begin with a couple swigs of molasses or a couple of bananas (natural muscle relaxers) daily - magnesium (which regulates many things in the body) and potassium (a needed building block for muscles).
Drink at least 1/2 gallons of water per day. Running a body low on water is like running a car low on oil is the analogy the head of neurology at UCDavis told my husband about 10 years ago.

Now to the cause - muscles - your back, neck shoulders and head have tender spots. They are knots in the fibers of the muscles called trigger points. It makes the muscles tight which makes them press on nerves and other things causing the pain.

The cure - start with a professional massage, you will also want to go back over any place you can get to 6-12 times per session up to 6 times per day rubbing (or lightly scratching on your head) every where that is tender until the knots go away. The place where the skull connects to the spine press up under the edge of the skull (to get to those muscles).

For more information read The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Davies. It teaches what to do and where the pain comes from.

Answer 4

I think it would be tough. I have four children. The three are old enough n

Answer 5

If you 'want to be a mother' then you have the 'right' to be a mother despite your 'disability' ... and it's 'up to you' to choose what, if any, HELP you might need to 'do this job well/properly. You could hire a 'housekeeper' to do the housework, and you could hire a 'nanny' to do the 'kid lifting' and help them in and out of the bathtub when they're small ... but if you LOVE your kids, and they can 'see that' then everything will be 'fine.'

Answer 6

Maybe check these sites out

www.disabledparents.net has resources

and

this is an online support group

http://www.care2.com/c2c/group/Single_DisabledParentNAble.

you may also contact a Living Independent Center in your area for information or peer counseling