[markymark]

Or should I say bucket?
Anyway.... at the end of October I noticed a funny walnut-like growth on my calf. Inside 6 weeks it was diagnosed and removed and treated as Squamous Cell Carcinoma. I had a skin graft to repair the wound, and when I say wound I mean a big hole in my leg you could rest a pint glass in, right down to the muscle. It honestly looks like a cgi special effect.
And to make the recovery more fun, the lower leg makes for slower healing times. And I have venous insufficiency,  which is how I ended up having my varicose veins taken out 12 months earlier, and of course makes for slower healing.
To top it off, the wound is now infected and needs antibiotics.
All of which means I've not worked since 11th December and I probably won't be working until the start of Feb at the most optimistically early.

12 months ago I'd have been sweating about this but the big take-away from the last few months is a spot of realisation. When I get back cleaning I'll still have more than enough work and still be financially secure. Bills will still be paid and I'll still have a decent standard of living. What I won't have is the few customers that have dropped me on my books - they've done me two favours.
Firstly, they're not the sort of person I'd want to associate with in any way, either in terms of a customer relationship or a nodding and saying hello way. "Yes, you're  not well, but my windows are dirty" cuts no ice with me. No longer my problem. Delete and block number, ta very much
Secondly, and more importantly, it's given me time back.
The 15 or 20 minutes spent cleaning them will now mean I knock off that bit earlier. They won't be replaced, instead their time slot will be used to do something - anything - else other than clean. 
In fact I'll be more proactive in removing people from my round at the first hint of awkward behaviour I might have put up with in the past.

2026 might not have begun in the ideal way but I'm going to make darn sure it improves. And I'm starting by sticking the central heating on full bore, stuff the expense 

[The Jester of Wibbly]

Good mindset.

But don't worry, this time of year most customers won't even notice you've not been.  I usually take some of in January to go somewhere sunny.  So with Xmas, I take off about 4 weeks.    Trust me, no one noticed.    Glad to have missed the horrible weather.

[markymark]

Good mindset.

But don't worry, this time of year most customers won't even notice you've not been.  I usually take some of in January to go somewhere sunny.  So with Xmas, I take off about 4 weeks.    Trust me, no one noticed.    Glad to have missed the horrible weather.

That sounds like a great way to spend January - I used to love winter but these last 5 years from January to April has become a real slog. Obviously I'm not going out in shorts in the sun anymore, but sitting under a parasol with a cold drink sounds better than wearing 5 layers and sat in the van watching it belt down 

I've had a couple of cancellations, including one who got her husband to text the 'bad' news. In all I'm down 5 customers, which admittedly surprised me at first. In hindsight I reckon they are using it as an excuse to get someone cheaper or just save money by not getting them cleaned.

Downside of being off is I'm busy ordering nice things like cordless jigsaws, sports stuff, flights to Canada. You know, the essentials 

[Scottish Cleaning Service]

Good convalescence time to catch up watching Utube videos. I think I'm getting addicted to them about building mobile cranes to making a JCB. Last one I was glued to was building a road through the desert to build a pipeline from the sea. I have found out that too much work is worse than too little. Good luck.

[dd]

Where are you going in Canada?

[markymark]

Where are you going in Canada?

Our lad lives on Vancouver Island so we default to Victoria, then in-laws in Kelowna. It's all a scouting operation for The Great Escape....

[dd]

Nice, any places of particular interest on the Island?

[markymark]

Nice, any places of particular interest on the Island?

We mainly stay around Victoria, but have gone to Butchart Gardens a couple of times (very impressive), Maine Island to see in-laws (beautiful) and Sooke last time. Then some local lakes for walks etc.  It's great if you like the outdoors as you can very, very quickly get away from people and in to nature. But that does bring very non-British Isles risks like bears, mountain lions and getting very lost very quickly.

[Bungle]

Where are you going in Canada?

Our lad lives on Vancouver Island so we default to Victoria, then in-laws in Kelowna. It's all a scouting operation for The Great Escape....

How long has your son lived there? Do you see him much? My son went off to Australia a year ago. He loves it. We get the odd WhatsApp face to face. I don't like being so far from him tbh. I don't think he'll come back so it's up to us to visit him which will get harder and harder. I think after we do visit it will be really hard to leave him. I'll be in bits.

[markymark]

Where are you going in Canada?

Our lad lives on Vancouver Island so we default to Victoria, then in-laws in Kelowna. It's all a scouting operation for The Great Escape....

How long has your son lived there? Do you see him much? My son went off to Australia a year ago. He loves it. We get the odd WhatsApp face to face. I don't like being so far from him tbh. I don't think he'll come back so it's up to us to visit him which will get harder and harder. I think after we do visit it will be really hard to leave him. I'll be in bits.

He's been there 8 years this year. The first year was just like he was still at Uni, just with no quick laundry trips home.  We saw him 2018 and 2019, then Covid hit, and with the restrictions it wasn't worth the risk of going then having to spend the time there isolating if someone on the plane tested positive. That was hard, especially with people complaining that they hadn't seen their family for days or weeks  - meaning only through the window, or they had a chat or cup of tea outside with them. Then I'd say I hadn't seen our lad for 18 months, which was usually followed with "yeah, but you can facetime with him" before returning to how tough they'd had it blah blah blah. If you haven't lived with your child that far away then it's difficult to comprehend the wrench and ache of separation. Missing big life events is difficult, missing family parties likewise - watching everyone be with their kids and grandkids just reminds you what your missing.

Anyway, he has a great fiance, with a great family that welcomed our lad from the off and in turn have welcomed us. That makes it easier knowing he has a second family over there. We get over there every year if possible, or they come to us. It's a 24 hour travel day, allowing for connections and hanging around airports. I expect it be closer to 36 to get to Oz, which certainly takes it out of you.

It's difficult and can get you down, especially as we only have him, but the thought of him missing the opportunity he has given himself just to make us happy by staying here... well, its a no brainer. Its only temporary and gives us something to aim for, he ain't gettin away from us that easy 

[Bungle]

That was a great read that was mate. I wish there was a PM button on here.

[tonyoliver]

My version of the story was at the age of 45.
I had a heart attack whilst I was in hospital. A customer ring the wife where is he? My windows need cleaning urgently can he come round to clean my windows?
No, he’s in hospital. Oh,
he’s had a serious  heart attack and is in intensive care
Not even a decency of wishing me well or get well soon as most decent folk who would
She said  who’s gonna clean my windows?
Outrageous ..
Swore and slammed  the phone down on the wife
Shocked she told me after I came back from the hospital
Compared to the twenty or so cards and flowers and many phone calls urging me to get well and come back to work when your ready 

I have a theory about the episode
The week before I cleaned a shop sign that was covered in pidgins poop
And breathed some in never going to prove it but there you are you never know what’s round the corner

[deeege]

Good post and good luck with your recovery. It’s sounds like they took a good chunk out of your leg to make sure they got it all.

I’ve also had some similar but less invasive skin cancer surgery, I’m still waiting for another surgery too, doesn’t sound as bad as yours though as I was able to start back at work after 8 days.

It certainly focuses the mind on what’s important in life and what isn’t doesn’t it.