I'm getting this error at the bottom of the cart

Notice: Object of class queryFactoryResult could not be converted to int in site.com/includes/application_bottom.php on line 16

(I don't have error reporting on, so I'm not sure how/why it is there)

I have read that there is a fix for 1.4 but I need to have this fixed in the 1.3.8 install because my boss is not happy about it, can anyone please help me with this?

thank you very much,
Steve