a couple of questions before 12/29

I had my pre-op appointment today for my 12/29 tvh.
First question is about having a spinal .....how soon can one get up or raise their head after this?

Secondly I have a special concern. My husband and I have our 25 year old son living with us. He is disabled with cerebral palsy and weighs 70 lbs. I do a good amount of the caregiving. We have planned for the six weeks following the surgery to have help with the lifting, etc. I am concerned that even after six weeks however that I may be at risk for prolaspe ...will I need to continue to find help? The doctor just told me that
a woman's pelvis can only take so much heavy lifting
through out a woman's life...hmmmm. has me a bit concerned...anyone out there have any encouragement here? thanks, anne

Hi Anne;

You certainly have a big decision to make regarding your son.
I think that caring for him will be very tiring for you even after 6 weeks. That fatigue can stick around for a while.
Maybe you can have the caregiver there with you for a few days and let you give it a try on your own but the caregiver could be there if you need help?

Or, even have the caregiver come 3 times a week until you are stronger?

It's really hard to say how one person will feel over another. We are all different but, we all take the same time to heal! Of course you can't just jump back into things, it all takes time.

I'm sorry I can't help with you spinal question but, someone will be along to answer that for you!

Best wishes and take care!
's to you and your son!
Sybie

I've had two spinal eps. I was moving my head and upper body when they put me in my room, and my feet and legs within a half hour. I would think it would depend on how long you were hooked up. First time was for labor, it had been 24 hours and I wasn't dialating, 2nd was for c-sect. Surgery was 45 min. lots of extra stitching due to large baby.
This probably didn't help much, we women are so different, and dosage is always different.
(I had phantom twinges in my back where it was done for quite awhile, a weakness sometimes too. They had to try 4 times with csect because my belly was so big I couldn't bend far enough.)
PLEASE take it easy for at least 3 months. I know this is a hard request to fill, but I would hate to hear you had hurt yourself. I know what goes into taking care of a disable child, or parent from friends with same circumstances, ask for more help if you can.
prayers to you for a speedy health recovery
Donna

Thanks for the advice ladies! I think having a spinal actually will be preferred over a general so i was glad the dr. suggested it. As to taking care of my son,
I will have to take this as an opportunity to restructure
how my husband and I care for him. Dustin is a very
sweet person , easy to be with, and I have worked
hard to be strong and protect my back. The realization yesterday that all this lifting may at some point damage the pelvic floor came as a light bulb kind of moment!
Now i am concerned that removing the uterus will actually cause prolaspe....i may or maynot have this
worry right!
I will take this surgery as the rainy day we have been saving for and really begin looking for the kind of help
we need. Really, this is my only real concern about the surgery. Kind of overshadows all other worries for me. Thanks anne

((( longwalks ))), the one time that I had a spinal, I was told to remain lying down for a couple of hours. I was told that otherwise I could get a bad headache. I behaved and was spared the headache and had no other problems afterwards.

I'm caregiver to an adult DD who has cerebral palsy. Hers is "mild to moderate". She needs daily help but can do a lot for herself. Even so, I did need extra help after my tah/bso. I think that you're wise to arrange for the extra help. Maybe, after the six weeks, you can decide whether or not you still need help and arrange what you need then. I needed help for a bit longer but not as much as at first. Shoot, I still need help sometimes, I'm not very big and get help from my DH who is stronger.

Best wishes to you and your son

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