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The Cats Mum

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The Cats Mum

Reliable and Loving Cat Carer, Dog Walker and small pet carer in Swindon. Fully Insured with DBS

10/11/2026

RECOVERY UPDATE

I'm now 1 week on from my surgery.

I am still in pain, although not as much as I was.
My biggest wound is right through my belly button, right on the core muscles I need to use to sit up and stand up.
So it's inevitable that I keep hurting this one by accident!

I'm trying to wean myself off the painkillers and only take them when I absolutely need to.
But given the amount I've had over the past week, it's causing dizziness and weakness.
I'm also getting out of breath doing little things around the house.

I am still looking at returning to work for cat visits and possibly dog visits from next Monday, 16th November.

I think it's best to delay dog walks until the following week, just to give my stomach more time to heal and for the dizziness to clear.

I will of course update again if anything changes.

Thanks as always,

Cheryl xx

04/11/2026

I'm alive!! I made it through my operation 🥳🥳
Gideon the gallstone has gone, along with the dodgy gallbladder.

Luckily it went well, and was done laparoscopic, so I did make it home last night eventually.
I have 4 small cuts in my abdomen, no larger incisions thankfully.
My body did misbehave a little and I had to spend a lot of time in recovery on oxygen as my sat levels dropped too low!

I am in immense pain and discomfort, and on a rotation of different pain meds for the next 5 days at least.
Also sleep deprived as I can't get comfy, so I expect to feel a bit like a zombie this week!

Recovery time wise, they said I should be resuming my normal duties in 10-14 days, although I cannot do any heavy lifting for 6 weeks.
I also cannot put any undue strain on my stomach muscles for 2-6 weeks.

With this is mind, providing my recovery goes as it should - I would hope to return to work for cat sits on Monday 16th November.
For any customers who have big heavy bags of cat litter, I may have to ask my husband to come in and help if I need to lift those.

Dog visits and walks I would probably be looking at resuming maybe the week after, as I cannot risk dogs jumping in to my stomach with excitement (as a couple do!), or tugging at the lead and hurting my stomach muscles.

I will obviously keep everyone updated as the next week or so goes.

I will switch my works phone back on either tomorrow or Friday, so please do feel free to message any booking requests through as normal.
Just be aware there may be a response in replying, and there's a chance it might be illegible if I'm still high as a kite 😂😂

Thank you so much to everyone for your kind words and support.

Cheryl xx

02/11/2026

Tomorrow is operation day, so long as it doesn't get cancelled last minute! 🤞

My admission is 7:30am and if all goes as well as it should do, I should be home tomorrow afternoon/evening.
Then hopefully 1-2 weeks recovery at home.

If it goes a little bit wrong, it may mean a hospital stay and a longer recovery at home.

I will give a further update as and when I can, along with an expected return to work date.

My work phone will be switched off from this evening, possibly for a day or two until the effects of the anaesthetic wear off 😂😂

If it goes disastrously wrong - I'm sure my husband or my mum will let you all know in the comments below.
In case of emergencies, my husband Iain has access to everyone's keys and booking forms, so he can arrange the return of keys as needed.

Thank you to all customers who have made alternative arrangements for my absence, and thank you all for you good wishes.

Hopefully, I will be able to post again in a couple of days.

Thanks, Cheryl xx

02/11/2026

Monday afternoon walk with Reggie.

02/11/2026

Monday afternoon walk with Muscles and Wallace.

02/11/2026

Monday lunchtime visit to Ginny, Mae and Rue.

02/11/2026

Monday morning walk with Reggie, who dressed up for the occasion with his lovely bow tie.

01/11/2026

Last.visit to Willie and Binkie this morning.

31/10/2026

Saturday evening visit to Willie and Binkie.

31/10/2026

Saturday morning visit to Willie and Binkie.

Address

5 Montrose Close
Swindon
SN22JR

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