I’ve just had the uncomfortable experience of needing to let x4 HOs know that I’m unable to do their sits as I’m having major surgery in September with a recovery period of 4-6 weeks afterwards (large Hiatus Hernia) .
I decided to tell all 4 HOs immediately so that they had longer to get somebody new. I could’ve waited a week to get the exact date of the surgery as one sit was Aug/early Sep but I believe in bad news early so that people can take control of their own plans.
It’s very frustrating and I feel sad for the HOs.
23 Likes
A very hard decision for you to make @BonnyinBrighton but a very considerate one to your HOs. Hoping your surgery goes smoothly in September and you’ll be well and fit for your trip Down Under.
5 Likes
Yep we’re due to set off to India as the first part of our trip on Nov 19th…. then it’s KL then Sydney and the train to Perth. Hopefully there’ll be no complications.
5 Likes
best wishes for your surgery
3 Likes
@BonnyinBrighton
Sounds a bit like my story. Had a very unpleasant find on my buddy last week that needs to be checked intensely. Could be nothing, but also could mean straight to the hospital. I know in a week, but a new sit begins in August, so I sadly had to contact the owner and THS. Luckily all were very nice and understandable.
Live happens while you go. 
To you all the best!
7 Likes
It’s worth looking out for these re-listed sits Sep/Oct as we had lovely video chats plus they’ve all sent me very kind messages.
Nice people deserve great sitters.
Bishops Stortford Essex: dogs plus chickens
Uckfield Sussex: horses plus cat
Guildford Surrey: dog
Betchworth Surrey: two dogs
8 Likes
Good luck with your surgery, get well soon.
4 Likes
Sorry to hear this news Bonny. All the very best for the surgery and quick recovery
4 Likes
Be well @BonnyinBrighton
As uncomfortable as it is, you are wise to let them know now as this is certainly unavoidable and well warranted.
Take care of yourself first and best wishes.
5 Likes
I’m sorry this happened. Best wishes for a speedy recovery! You aren’t at fault as you have a good reason to cancel. It these are decent sits, the hosts should have no problem finding people or making other arrangements.
4 Likes
Hope all goes well, make sure you tell the travel insurance as after I had an op I was told, anything to do with that wouldn’t be covered for a year. Don’t take any risks as a lot of people are not covered if things aren’t disclosed.
2 Likes
Both of us have a few medical issues going on, so decided to pause our sitting after the last sit in June.
Such a shame that memberships couldn’t be temporarily suspended whilst these issues are occuring.
Hope everything goes ok with the surgery, and that are you are back on the go again soon 
2 Likes
Sorry to hear this Bonny. Hope all goes well and you have a speedy recovery.
1 Like
When I read your post @BonnyinBrighton I was like, oh no. So we really do have a connection although limited on the forum. I wish you the best possible outcome.
4 Likes
@BonnyinBrighton, the team hopes everything goes well with your surgery. Wishing you a speedy recovery so you can continue your sitting adventures and make it to Australia 
5 Likes
Good on you @BonnyinBrighton for being thoughtful and advising the owners as soon as you knew you would be out of action. Hope all goes well for you and you make it here to Australia as planned. Take care.
2 Likes
If everything had lined up perfectly I could’ve done 3 of the 4 sits- ie if the surgery date was after 9th Sep… when Sit No 1 ended … then 4 weeks recovery took me to sits 3 and 4 but I couldn’t risk the planned medical timeline not working out perfectly so decided to give all 4 HOs the ‘bad news early’ so the decision making was with them rather than me. If any of them doesn’t get a sitter and I’ve recovered and I’m available I’ll sit for them but it was far too risky that it might be a last minute cancellation leaving the HOs high and dry and I didn’t want to do that to nice people. Two out of the four have said they’d love me to sit in the future 
3 Likes
Very useful you’ve noted the sits here … that was thoughtful … good luck!
2 Likes
Wish you a smooth and speedy recovery.
1 Like
Wishing you a speedy recovery once you have your procedure, and I am sure the hosts will be able to find replacements. I think this situation is a very good example of why noting cancellations-- in whatever form it would take-- on sitter profiles is not a good idea. One single health incident led to the very necessary cancellation of multiple sits. These are the sorts of scenarios people aren’t taking into account when advocating for that policy, which would make many sitters appear ‘unreliable’ when they are not.
Best of luck and I am sure you will be ready to go for your travels down the line.
2 Likes