This month sees me “easing” back into work, following the end of my cancer treatment.

My client has waited since February for their new kitchen to be fitted, and I thank them for their support.

With the existing kitchen units and ceiling already having been removed, I was able to start straightaway with a complete kitchen rewire. The ceiling has been reboarded and the internal brickwork under the window replaced. Various walls were levelled/patched up and the whole kitchen replastered.

Following the removal of the existing floor tiles, the client decided to take up the sub floor: a new damp proof membrane has been fitted, followed by a new floor and tiles.

Ceiling and walls have been decorated and October ended with the new kitchen units being fitted.

The best news of the month came on October 15th when I heard that I am now in full remission and my latest PET CT scan showed no cancer. Bi-monthly blood tests going forward to check on protein levels are all that is required henceforward. Happy days!

Quite an exciting month one way and another!

My strange and challenging year continued throughout the summer, and I spent 5 weeks pinned down Monday – Friday underneath this rather ghoulish article, receiving radiotherapy:-

 

Whilst I am still awaiting the date for a PET CT scan which I hope will confirm I am cancer-free, I am much stronger than at the end of treatment in July; I continue to feel well and as we head into autumn I am about to begin a gradual return to work with fingers firmly crossed!

 

 

Whilst awaiting the start of radiotherapy in mid June, I helped my brother-in-law refurbish a kitchen and utility area for an elderly couple in North Walsham, which they are very pleased with, and which includes this unusual and striking glass splashback for the hob:-

 

 

 

What was expected to be a very busy start to the New Year has changed into a much slower start following a small operation on January 11th to remove what I hoped was a polyp from my left nostril, which revealed cancerous cells of an uncommon type of blood cancer. I am currently undergoing a number of tests, and, whilst feeling well generally, I am very tired and will probably remain off work until after any treatment.

Early in the year I completed the refurbishment of a kitchen and utility room for clients in Felmingham. This work included replacing existing worktops with 30mm quartz/granite tops, 20mm upstands and window boards.

New stainless undermount sinks & taps, new spot lights, LED under and above wall unit lights, a fuse board upgrade and replacement sockets were fitted.  A new electric range cooker and extractor was finished off nicely with black rainbow sparkle glass splashback and the existing tiled floors have been latexed and a tile effect Karndean flooring laid throughout both rooms.

Clients originally expecting work to be done this spring (a kitchen refit at Millfield Road, North Walsham, and an extension at Stan Peterson Close in Norwich, have been very supportive and have moved their projects back to the summer to accommodate my treatment.

All works at Stafford Street, Norwich, are now complete including changing the hand of the existing kitchen door, replacing 2 built-in cupboard doors, cutting and fitting the oak floating shelves to chimney breast alcoves.

I have also had a number of new enquiries which I have been able to measure up and estimate, leading to a good start for the New Year. They include removing a shower room wall in South Walsham, and moving a bathroom doorway at a home in Spixworth for Mick Butler & Son Ltd, replacing existing worktops and other works at a home in Felmingham, and replacing a Velux window with a dormer for a repeat client at Stan Peterson Close in Norwich.

I wish everyone a prosperous and peaceful New Year!