Surgeon confirmed some pretty gnarly scoliosis, but it's apparently balanced in such a way that surgery would be riskier than just leaving it alone for now. The first pain management place I went to was pretty much...a fucking disaster. Brought me in to tell me they don't prescribe painkillers there, only do steroid shots and that they don't do them for scoliosis or spinal issues...well fucking thanks guys, I'm gonna enjoy having to lie in bed for three days just for the pleasure of getting told to fuck off. Ever heard of a fucking phone call?
So the surgeon is hooking me up with ANOTHER pain management place and hopefully they actually do what they're supposed to do. Took my last tramadol just now and hey, pain is manageable enough to type this out. Sure would like some more! God forsaken hillbillys just ruining painkiller access for all us responsible people!
Some people would say this is good news, not having to have surgery, but...I still don't know why I'm in so much pain and I still don't know what's really wrong...what I love doing most in this word is still impossible, I'm still homebound, etc. Yesterday was when I saw the surgeon, so...pretty big blow I'm still feeling the weight of, which is probably responsible for why this post is so morose. Been nothing but one blow after another for over a year now...
I'll probably start leaning how to dictate using software next year, but...that's not the magic bullet some people seem to think it is, so don't expect books to magically be done in a few months once I start. When you're writing a 200k book at 99% accuracy that's still two thousand errors. And I'm a writer, not a talker, I could just suck at this. The one plus is the King Henry Tapes are told in speaking style so...we'll see, I guess?
The software might implode the entire internet when I say Pougpaellieth the first time...
Don't expect any more updates for a few months at least.
Hey - good to hear from you, although not good to hear life's beating you up quite so badly. Just know your fans on this side of the pond are rooting for you, and hoping you can get some kind of resolution at some point!
ReplyDeleteIf you do end up using speech recog, you've got a willing team of beta readers to help weed out the typos (voiceos?). Alternatively, have you considered a split keyboard/projector setup that you could use lying down without stressing your back? I can imagine it would be a bitch to learn to type with your hands by your sides, but might ease your frustration.
Anyway, do what you've got to do, look after yourself (mentally and physically), and remember This Too Shall Pass...
Hang in there. You are not alone.
ReplyDeleteI know each case is different, but a single set of steroid shots for pain caused by spinal stenosis (a narrowing of my spinal column) kept me amazingly pain-free for weeks and then at an easily managed pain level for a year and counting.
Good luck!
For what it’s worth good luck! I had some good luck with dragon systems as far as dictation programming goes but no it’s not a magic bullet. Here’s hoping for the best.
ReplyDeleteI'm very sorry to hear of your continuing struggle. Sending good vibes your way, (and even cash if you had a patreon). Here's hoping for a better 2023.
ReplyDeleteKind regards,
John
I just want to say, I fucking love your books. I hope you get better fast, so I can read more, but if it takes a year, 2 years, 10 years, I don't care. I can re-read your series over and over again while I wait. I've read a lot of books in my 50-odd years, and the only ones I've read more than once are Hitchhiker's, A Wrinkle in Time, Dresden, and King Henry. You are a gifted storyteller, and you'll find a way to share your stories one way or another, I'm sure of it. So, thank you--sincerely--for sharing your inner world with us.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, RR is one of the few worth re-reading. His mastery of character voice, dramatic backstory reveals and consistent magic system makes me happy every time.
ReplyDeletePlease get better soon, Richard!
ReplyDeleteOne of your fans might be a hillbilly with terrible spinal pain and trouble also. I had my back surgery at age 31 but I had a “simple” herniated disk at L4-L5. It is a long drawn out process that was way more mental than physical for me. The depression can be worse than the pain. Hope you find a solution soon.
ReplyDeleteSigned, a King Henry fan from KY