How long for home help?

[stiltkins75]

I have been told I need to have an ADR on my L5 and possibly my L4. I'm having a final consultant with my neurosurgeon in March.

How long did you have home help for after your ADR? What is the minimum period you think home help is required?

My husband works away, he said he can take 2 weeks off and we have no family here, they are all interstate. I have asked family if they would be willing to come stay for a week or two at a time, my mum said yes, MIL said no and I haven't asked my father yet but I don't see it being a problem.

I have two kids, 6 and 2, I have been looking at putting my 2 year in daycare. My 6 year old is at school, she needs a drop off/pick up daily.

Hubby said today that I will be fine to be left alone with the kids at one week post op when he has to go back to work but I wouldn't be able to drive, would I be able to do meals and look after the kids generally? I have a weekly house cleaner.

I've been reading that some people use walkers when at home initially, how long did you have to use them for?

and what about pain meds, are they fairly strong in that first week or two post op? or even longer?

I do have the option of flying to Sydney and having the surgery done there and staying with mum for 3-4 weeks while I recoup and lumping what to do with the kids on hubby! My mum has offered this but of course hubby is not keen because he needs me to look after the kids.

I'm feeling very lost and worried

[stiltkins75]

Surely there must be someone out there who can tell me how long there initial recovery was from a lumber ADR??? I understand that every case is different

I've received a pm which was useful

[Harrison]

Pls be more specific with your questions, e.g.:

1. How long before I can return back to my desk job?
2. How long before I can return back to my physically-demanding job?
3. How long before I'll be out of pain?

Etc.

[Harrison]

Generally, 2-6 months for a one-lumbar patient, with many qualifiers. In the meantime, this paper I wrote in 2004 may be of help to you:

http://www.adrsupport.org/images/upl...R_Recovery.pdf

[stiltkins75]

Thanks harrison for that link, lots of good reading there.

I don't have a job to go to, I'm a stay at home mum. My husband works away 10 days and home for 4, we have no family as they are all interstate,I solely look after them. I can arrange family to come and help for possibly 6 weeks.

My question is for any stay at home mums that had this operation.

• How long was it before you felt you could solely look after your kids?

[Stonewall_Boris]

Harrison,

Very good link, very good info!