An Apology, and a Change of Pace

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yoink*gasp*

Turbocharged, Bitch
Feb 11, 2007
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Hi everyone;

First and foremost, I'd like to publicly apologize to all of the clients whos orders are late. I assure you that I haven't forgotten about you or abandoned your orders- I am working as hard as I can to finish what I owe, but the process is taking a bit longer that I would like. I've been experiencing pain in both of my wrists now for several weeks, and it has gotten to the point where it is quite painful to type. Last week I caved and saw a doctor, and sure enough I have the beginning stages of carpal tunnel syndrome. It sucks, to be blunt.

I have gone from being able to produce 30 articles a day to around 10, and my progress has been hugely impacted as a result. I want to say right now that all of my clients orders will be filled as soon as I get them done- and everyone will be done within a week. Many of you guys and gals have been so patient and I can't fully express how much I truly appreciate that.

That being said, I also have other news: given my wrists, I will no longer be able to take on any more content orders. I simply can't do it. Instead, I have approached two good friends of mine about offering content in my place and they both loved the idea.

Grace, who will be the senior editor, has a very strong writing background: two degrees from Berkeley, a graduate of the Haas School of Business, and years of communications and freelance writing experience. As you can imagine, they're damn good at what they do, and I'd hate to admit it, but the quality of their content is as good (if not better) than mine. So, while I'm still going to be around, I'll be more of a consultant than a writer simply because I can't write at nearly the same capacity as I could before.

They have taken over my website (CommunicateBetter.org) and are very enthusiastic about becoming part of the WickedFire community. What's sad is that I'll be placing orders with them simply because I know how well they both write.

So, in short, I want to conclude that WickedFire has been great to me since I came here in Feruary. I've written for a lot of you guys and overall the experience as been great. It really sucks that I need to stop writing, but I'm trying to avoid a rather painful surgery here.

If anyone is looking for content, PM communicateBTR for a quote. Any PM's that I receive I'll simply forward to them.
 


Sorry to hear that Yoink. CTS is a bitch. Have you considered using a program like Dragon Naturally Speaking or any type of voice-->text to continue to create content or are you going to move onto another form of moneymaking that doesn't require as much manual labor?
 
I'm using one now and it takes me twice as long. *sigh*

I intend to stick around with content for a while to make sure that the transition goes smoothly. Not to mention tha I'm finishing what I owe current clients. After that, I don't know what I'm going to do.

It probably won't be using a computer for a while.

SeoDave said:
Sorry to hear that Yoink. CTS is a bitch. Have you considered using a program like Dragon Naturally Speaking or any type of voice-->text to continue to create content or are you going to move onto another form of moneymaking that doesn't require as much manual labor?
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CommunicateBTR said:
<removed by Admin... you fucking spammer.>
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If you want to advertise shit, do it in the Buy Sell Trade area. Not here. I understand Cameron was apologizing, but you don't need to come in here with a one post wonder advertisement about "working with WickedFire members" and attempting to be clean and sweet. Follow the rules just like everyone else.
 
Hey Cam,

I'm sorry to hear about the Carpel Tunnel. It's a bitch... I had early symptoms a few months ago so I tried this Microsoft urgonomically (sp?) correct wireless mouse and it worked wonders. After slowing down the amount of typing for a few weeks and using the mouse, the wrists are all better. I can look up the exact model of the mouse if you need it.

Yours probably has to do with typing more than using the mouse, but its surprisingly a relief on the wrist when using the right mouse. Good luck bud.

(obviously i have no affiliation w/ msft)
 
maximus said:
Hey Cam,

I'm sorry to hear about the Carpel Tunnel. It's a bitch... I had early symptoms a few months ago so I tried this Microsoft urgonomically (sp?) correct wireless mouse and it worked wonders. After slowing down the amount of typing for a few weeks and using the mouse, the wrists are all better. I can look up the exact model of the mouse if you need it.

Yours probably has to do with typing more than using the mouse, but its surprisingly a relief on the wrist when using the right mouse. Good luck bud.

(obviously i have no affiliation w/ msft)
Click to expand...

Hey bud;

Yea I am trying the ergonomically (sp??) correct keyboard/mouse and they arne't doing much... *sigh* oh well.
 
CTS isn't the end of the world. I've had the surgery to repair it in my right hand and it's never been better. My left still has problems, but it's not so bad that I need it fixed.

The recovery is remarkably easy too. For the first few weeks, there will be weakness and some pain where they cut the tendon, but you will be able to type much more comfortably within a couple days.

Good luck.
 
OK.. fellow sufferer here.

Get a program called "Workrave" it is free, open source and absolutely gold.
Be sure to leave it at default settings and adhere to the breaks RELIGIOUSLY.
I am not kidding. Especially the micro-breaks are important.

Also get this book:
"It is NOT Carpal tunnel syndrome"
Amazon.com: It's Not Carpal Tunnel Syndrome! RSI Theory & Therapy for Computer Professionals: Books: Suparna Damany,Jack Bellis
(no aff. link)

Worth its weight in gold.

Every evening and mid-day, cool your wrists with a gel-pack.
Remember to just leave the ice or cooling pack on for 20 seconds at most.

::emp::
 
Shit man. Carpal tunnel is something I seriously fear. I hope you get your symptoms under control and manage to bounce back from it.

Look for the silver lining, now it'll give you more time to focus on life than that computer (which 90% of us consistently mismanage).
 
Sorry to hear it! I try to spend as much time at the computer, but I'm not always 'productive'...

I do recommend trying the Kensington Expert Mouse, which is actually the large ball trackball. VERY easy to use. It's always where you think it should be (no searching around blindly with your hand or moving your eyes from the screen), and you hardly use your wrist.Mainly, you use your fingers.

I love it, even at $99. I bought two, one for work and one for home.
 
I love my logitech marble. Thing is almost 10 years old and still going strong. I have get pains when using a traditiional mouse after some time. The marble has never given me any problems.
 
Eeew. That sucks. Get well soon.

I wouldn't haul you for speeding up other orders except one -- promise. :p
 
I started having cts symptons a few years ago. I've read a fair bit, visited the doctor and done a bit of trial and error, so here's what i've learnt:

The most important things, when dealing with this type of problem, is to a) make sure (or learn) you're using the correct posture and technique for typing & mousing and b) take regular breaks.

From my experience/reading you shouldn't rest your palms while you type and, instead of bending your wrist to reach for keys, move your arms. This can also help when mousing. Keep the keyboard and mouse close to you, but leave enough room to rest your forarm, when mousing.

Make sure you keep your hands and fingers warm. I run my hands under warm water if they're really cold.

If mousing is giving you problems, learn to also use your other hand. It's tough at first, but you get used to it. Also, expriment with different devices.

There's a book called "Conquering Carpal Tunnel Syndrome : And Other Repetitive Strain Injuries" which is mostly just diagrams of stretches. This book helped me enourmously, and it isn't just to relieve wrist pain but almost the entire upper body. I also recommend that book Emp suggested. It'll clue you up about alot of things including the physiology of the problem.

I've used a trackball, but one of the sypmtoms of CTS can be that the fleshy part, below your thumb and near your wrist, can become sore. Basically if you let this happen for a long time, that fleshy part will start to erode and you'll eventaully lose your gripping strength.

Anyway, hope this infomration helps. When i had the problem the doctor was a bit shit about it, but I'm ok now that I'm armed with the info and stretches.
 
Does anyone notice any pains in the tendons around their knuckles? I just started having this problem. Its in my right hand so obviously it's the mouse. I just see a bunch of stuff about the wrists and fingers and wondered if anyone ever noticed this? I'm a big skimmer so it's possible I just missed other people mentioning this.
 
turbolapp said:
Does anyone notice any pains in the tendons around their knuckles? I just started having this problem. Its in my right hand so obviously it's the mouse. I just see a bunch of stuff about the wrists and fingers and wondered if anyone ever noticed this? I'm a big skimmer so it's possible I just missed other people mentioning this.
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Nightly wrist exercises with Rosie Palm and her five sisters prevent any such pains from computer peripheral use and relieve the stresses of the internets.:love-smiley-086:
 
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