[Sandy]

When    your Husband goes away, is there some one who can pop in at some point each day, or different people? My brothers miles from me and he liked me to send him loads of little E Mails, if some one is doing that as well then if you need some one to chat to, I'm sure it would help a bit. Not too sure about other circumstances but even getting some one in to clean a few hours each week would be a help. If your anything like me, you hate being helped, I am so independant too and on occasions I have been disabled due to operations or injury, I have tried to find my own solutions, there are some good gadgets around for hire too from the Red Cross. I had a hip  op and I kept dropping heavy stuff on the floor and as you know you are not suppose to bend down, so, when my OH came home there would be stuff to pick up everywhere!!!! Before he goes  try to make things simpler for yourself, do a house check, put things that are high up or low down into easier to reach places, I even had a shopping trolly (tartan thing on wheels) to put stuff to carry from room to room and even something like an old push chair outside to put stuff in, but so make sure there is some one who you can get in if needed!!!!! After the op you will feel like a new women!!!!!  

[Hardfeather]

I feel like a new woman now and again...but my wife won't let me have one.

Faith...my neighbour actually had the offending disk removed. It was another chap who had his 'shaved' down a bit, as described above. They have both made good recoveries without further pain or problem.

[faith0504]

AengusOg, thanks for letting me know, i have just spoke to an osteopath and she has said everything depends on how severe a bulge i have, that will determine if my self help is successful, the type of surgery that will be offered,

i have booked a massage session and some accupuncture, it might help, it certainly wont do me any harm, my aim is to make myself as strong as possible between now and my OH leaving, which will hopefully help me get through till the hospital appointment, as sciatica free as possible.

You are a star for all the advice and support you have given me, i really appreciate it