[johnny bravo]

I had an Iguinal Hernia opp on Thursday gone, ben asvised around 4-6 weeks taking it easy.  Seems forever.    Im going to have to get my customers flyers out to explain my late return.
i hope i dont have any deserters.
Has anyone on here been through this opp,   any reprecusions ,  it would be disasterous if starting too early and causing injury .  Back to Opp Table.

Things were going great.     Life can change just like that. Through no fault you know of your own.
Im going to hope my son helps out.  Hes been out a few times   .Im knacked if not. 
Heres hoping my customers stay loyal.

[alanwilson]

Haven't been through that mate but hope all works out well for you.

Are there any local window cleaners about who could cover the work for you?

[simon w]

Hi Johnny

Haven't been through this myself but it does highlight how fragile us self employed are and how quickly life can change without our doing. Best to follow doctors orders and not return to work to early as this may cause even further set backs for your business.

How old is your son, could he be available to take over the reins until you return? if so I'd have him doing as much as he can, pay him well and at least you have the security of getting back to a managed business once you've healed.

You'd be surprised how overdue customers will tolerate in my experience those who contact you will probably be fine once they know your out for a little while with your hernia and loosing the odd one or two can easily be replaced once your match fit again.

Good luck getting over your op

[Tom White]

As for being self employed and having health problems, I think it's really important to try to be as healthy as possible.  Make time for exercise and eating a decent diet, cutting out the smokes and reducing the booze (I had to stop altogether  ), or make time for illness later.

Good luck, mate; hope you recover quickly.

[G Griffin]

4-6 weeks? I've had longer tea breaks!

But seriously, let your customers know, Johnny. I had a lot longer than that off and lost one piddling job. At first I sat at home feeling sorry for myself and then I bumped into the cancellation and it did me a favour. I got some leaflets done explaining my position and posted them. You obviously see a few customers and that's a good thing, too.
I then got a lot of texts and calls wishing me well and saying they'd wait for me to return to clean their windows. A few had an interim clean off another wc'er but on the understanding that it was only temporary.
It really was a weight off my mind.
I'm lucky (and unlucky) to have had many of my customers for years and I'm very friendly with a lot of them and that helps.
But if a customer is prepared to replace you, permanently, for the sake of what could be one clean then are they worth bothering about that much?

A lot of people employ 'you' not just a window cleaner.

[Smurf]

I've had two spells in hospital in the last couple of months also taken a planned short break away for a week in between. I'm still not able to get out to do a bit so I've not done much myself.

I'm lucky in a way that I'm semi retired so I just job about when I want too. Still being stuck indoors is now starting to do my head in all the same. I find it difficult at times especially when new enquiries come in as they are either prepared to wait or just go find someone else.

I try to remain positive but sometimes that is easier said than done.

[johnny bravo]

i had one customer let me know they had building work done and  needd there windows cleaned,  i told her i just completed that area the day before , i left them due to builders around working.
when i explained my dialema she paused and said i better get another windy then as her windows were dusty.   i explained i will try to get them done at the end of this week,  i said if you cant wait its upto you.   she paused and said ok.      if she cant wait  good ridence.

[johnny bravo]

most local windies i think will jump in there and try to poach enough of my custies for themselves.

dog eat dog i think.     i dont know any local  to trust.
i think if i get some flyers out to them explaining they will be ok.

i have to be able to drive first to get them delivered.     cant put any pressure pushing into the groin area,. hard braking etc.  ill wait for 1 week.
im sick of watcing Homes under the Hammer.    bugger all on the afternoon tv

[johnny bravo]

id go on holliday but have just got a 8 month rotweiller.     spending all time stopping him eating all flower heads in garden and wiping sh--e  up in garden.             cant even take for a walk yet,  get to corner then pain in groin,  back home.     im alright walking around the house.

around 5  month ago i went on a strict abdomen training  in the gym,    i think this may have caused this.    doing squats ,  too much pressure working on crunches & different types of  situps every day.    sometimes you think you are doing your body good, then having a reverse effect on your body
ill never know.

i bettr get these flyers sorted

[johnny bravo]

this is where a working partner comes in handy   to take the prssure

[Arnold Palmer]

this is where a working partner comes in handy   to take the prssure

Do you ever intend to go down the employee route, if so this could be an opportunity instead of a setback. Just like Smudger says.

Either way sorry to hear about your problem, I understand that these things can happen, not your fault, no matter what Tosh thinks, star jumps would probably make it worse.

[NWH]

I had laparoscopic hernia done a few years ago keyhole through the belly button you don't need 6 weeks off that way I had 8-10 days off and took it easy it was fine,when I went back for the scan I told he radiographer I could feel something on the other side which turned out to be another small one. Coz there's mesh already in there from that time on its open cut repair which takes longer to heal,6 weeks is overkill that's covering thereselves from reprocutions from open cut surgery it takes longer especially if your on the books and your getting paid while sitting on your arse lol I'd give it a few weeks and then see how it feels. NHS surgeon will say have 6 weeks off a private surgeon will say have a few and if you feel like you can work do it but don't over do it. I know this coz I've seen both your not paying on the NHS so they don't want you back costing them another 4-5 grand if you split the tacks off the mesh.

[NWH]

Nearly all surgery they say 6 weeks from ulnar nerve which is Tennis elbow surgery which I've not had to a broken leg,it takes longer to heal inwardly from surgery but if it takes you 6 weeks to heal enough to work your a slow healer IMO. Even when it's done it will feel strange almost like it's still there due to nerve damage or nerves growing back in that area,it takes a year at least to feel anywhere near normal.

[Dave Willis]

I've got an in growing toenail. Hope that helps.

[NWH]

Yeah they are more painful 😩

[johnny bravo]

cheers dave, i laughed that much  i now have pain.    i had open surgery.   i will take no chances, i should know when ready to start up again.   getting flyrs printed tomorrow,  ill get them out.     if any of my customers leave then i dont want them.  i chat to them all so im no stranger to them.

[Dave Willis]

By coincidence I have been working for a week and a half with a broken rib. Hurts like hell - self employment is the pits at times.

[Tony Edwards]

Had 2 months off  beginning of the year after bad illness

Texted all customers and explained, most customers said no rush get better

Didn't loose a single custy

[duncan h]

id go on holliday but have just got a 8 month rotweiller.     spending all time stopping him eating all flower heads in garden and wiping sh--e  up in garden.             cant even take for a walk yet,  get to corner then pain in groin,  back home.     im alright walking around the house.

around 5  month ago i went on a strict abdomen training  in the gym,    i think this may have caused this.    doing squats ,  too much pressure working on crunches & different types of  situps every day.    sometimes you think you are doing your body good, then having a reverse effect on your body
ill never know.

i bettr get these flyers sorted

Where do you live

[G Griffin]

Where do you live

Don't tell him, Pike!