**** JoeBunny****

kehaydon

I wanted to tell you I saw your post yesterday.  I myself have been going through alot of the same things for the past 3 years.  It started when my son was 6 months and my daughter not even two.  I herniated a disc in my neck, and like you went through various conservative treatments, in so much pain I couldn't take care of the kids.  I ended up with a cervical disc replacement in Nov 08. It completely relieved everything I was experiencing, and I was back in the game after 6 weeks, including PT.  Unfortunately I herniated a disc in my back a week later on christmas eve and ended up in the hospital for christmas.  Again I tried conservative treatments for about two months, not able to take care of the kids again.  I had a discectomy in March 09.  I was back to myself by the beginning of May.  I was back to being a new person, being with the kids, taking care of them, etc.  Unfortunately fate strikes again and I herniated another disc this past christmas, and i'm looking at a spinal fusion in a few weeks.  It's pretty evident i have bad degenerative disc disease, but we keep on keepin on.  I just wanted to say that through all of this my kids are still a huge part of my everyday life, yeah i can't lift them or play on the floor with them.  but they come snuggle me all the time, we watch tv, movies, i read to them, they color with me in bed.  We have ended up hiring a nanny for this go around, because my husband, our parents, everyone has put so much time into taking care of the kids while I can't.  I think in my opinion that the best thing for you and your family (kids included) is to put an end to your misery.  Have the surgery.  I know exactly what you're going through and it's miserable and no way to live your life.  I've been dealing with alot of depression throughout this time, and it sucks.  But I know i'm doing everything i can to move on and get back to a "normal" life, as normal as it can be.  Take care of yourself,

 

Kristin

JOEBunny

Thank you for your story.  I really appreciate it.  I am going to go meet with the Dr. soon.  The spine clinic where I go has a doctor for everything, so I have to go see yet another one.  I have been having spinal injection and will probably have another before I would do the surgery.  My resistance come more from having had this after DD and having it go away.  The difference was that DD would take a bottle, so I could medicate until it went away.  I am still pretty active, though some days suck.  I am still able to do a lot, just not what I am used to.  I think my melt down came yesterday because I am going to go pick up my number for a 1/2 marathon I had planned to do, but obviously can't.  I have done it twice before, but missed it last year because DS was born the week before.  I really feel like once DS can walk, I will be much better off.  Days DH is around and can help, I do feel a lot better. 

I know eventually, I will have to have the operation, I am just hoping to put it off as long as possible (this is based on the doctors recommendations as well).  

I totally get the depression part.  I am very used to being independant and I find it very frustrating to ask for help, especially at stores and stuff and have people judge me for being a lazy person.  I wish I had a sign.

 Thank you!  Hope you eventually get to a pain free point!