Hi, guys.
I am writing this by dictating to Dragon Naturally Speaking. Wheee.
For those of you who missed the twitch chat, I got my doctor results back. The good news is that I’m neither diabetic nor pre-diabetic, which was my biggest fear. My glucose level is normal. In fact, it was so ordinary, my doctor hadn’t even mentioned it when discussing lab results with me before, because he didn’t realize it was a concern. Yay, super restrictive diet. The bad news is because I type upward of 500,000 words a year my hands are beat up. The doctor compared my injuries to that of a veteran pianist.
I have to tell you, dictating is really weird.
Basically, I have injured my hands, and the first time it happened I should’ve stopped typing. Instead I kept typing, reinjuring them further and further. I know exactly how it happened, to0. When we were finishing Magic Triumphs and Iron and Magic (Dragon typed this as Ottoman magic, hehe), we pulled marathon typing sessions both times. I think it was something ridiculous like 8,000 or 9,000 words in one day for Magic Triumphs. It was just too much.
So my prescription is not typing for two weeks. Gordon is sitting next to me and cackling, and he laughs every time he hears this. They offered me steroid shots into my fingers and I said no.
So right now, I’m dictating my parts of Diamond Fire to Gordon, who has been amazingly patient. We’re hoping to finish Diamond Fire this week and then we will resume the Innkeeper.
If you are waiting for the twitch session upload, it will be posted sometime today.
Thank you for all of the lovely emails you sent us. We really appreciate it.
Well, that’s all my news for now. I’m going to go back to the house and try to dictate like the wind.
Hooray to no diabetes!! Boo to a repetitive use injury. They suck. Take your time, get well, and listen to Dr. Gordon. Rest and relax and enjoy yourself.
Get well soon and try to enjoy dictation, maybe make up words and slip them in as you go, just for fun
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So, so glad to hear it. Take care of yourself. Happy to hear you found a text to type program that works but now is the time to catch up on your three Rs. Reading, relaxing and resting.
Absolutely +1 to the three Rs, assuming that’s even a possibility in your busy life. I know you feel like the ergonomic keyboard is weird and slow, but it will improve with practice, too. And if it helps to prevent a reoccurrence, then I say go for it. And you may find that dictating is a good standby! In the meantime, take care and best wishes.
+1 to all of the above! I hope that your hands feel better soon and that dictating works out. We all love your writing and can’t wait to get our hands on whatever you write next, but you come first!
+1. Please please test up, oops, that’s rest up…. Hand injuries may come back to haunt us (personal experience).
Best wishes for a prompt and complete recovery.
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I am so happy for you that the diabetes concern has been resolved. I am so sorry for the damage/pain but it is good that you found a solution. I am further happy that they many outpourings of support and love have helped with the ugliness of the entitled. I was worried for you. I look forward to reading all the books!
Very well said and seconded!
And thirded.
Like Hope T and Sally I am relieved to hear it is not diabetes or something else requiring dire medical intervention. I am happy you have a plan to deal with the injury and to prevent further injury going forward. The voice to text program sounds good and I assume is the one people said can adjust for accents(charming ones like yours Ilona included). Once you are allowed to type again I assume the ergonomic keyboard will help prevent further damage.
Please take this as another message of support and ignore the negativity from those who allowed their sense of entitlement to get in front of their common sense. You and Gordon are very generous with your readers and this member of the BDH appreciates both your writing skill and your willingness to engage with us.
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Well said, Frances!
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Holy moly, 500,000 words in a year…yikes! This is when the phrase “keep your hands to yourself” comes into play. 😀 I’m glad there were no underlying issues with the hand pain. One thing…if you feel your tendons and ligaments shorten up it’s due to the inflammation and damage done to the soft tissue. I know this due to falling down some stairs over 20 years ago. To this day I have limited range of motion in my left foot and in my knees. Keep in mind soft tissue damage heals slower than a hard bone break (this is what my doctors told me over time). Just do what your doctor and Gordon tell you to do, and before you know it, your hands, fingers and forearms are healed up.
Glad to hear Diamond Fire is coming along. Re-reading Iron and Magic (Ottoman Magic…that could be the name of a new book in the future…love autocorrect (or in the BDH’s view autocorrupt)).
Whoops, didn’t finish my thought about Iron and Magic. This book makes me laugh, shake my head, and think “this is not about the love of a good woman to a man (hehehe). Just the opposite. If somebody else doesn’t kill them, they will kill each other.” It will be very interesting to read the second book after Magic Triumphs. 🙂
Well expressed Patricia. This is not a story of a bad man being redeemed by the love of a good woman!
I think Hugh (who I previously hated because Aunt B. Mauro. Locking people in cages. Imprisoning Kate in water cistern.) has linked up with the one woman who can match him in badassery and, if they don’t kill each other, help him in killing their enemies. I like that they are both loyal to their people and Elara’s demonstrated loyalty to Hugh was a good start to their being a real couple. (The hot sex probably didn’t hurt either!) I too look forward to their development as individuals and as a couple in books 2 and 3.
Ilona and Gordon, would it be possible for a discussion blog on Iron and Magic? I realise it would need to be clearly labelled SPOILER ZONE so those of the BDH who haven’t yet read it can avoid it.
With Iron and Magic, I find it interesting to learn how much Roland suppressed Hugh’s emotions. It is also interesting to see that the story could lead to where the vision from the dancer at the castle overseas may come true….just not how Hugh thought it would. What wonderfully creative authorlords!
So glad to hear that you are getting the care you need to recover! Please consider having your work space and methods evaluated by an ergonomic specialist. Your ability to create shouldn’t be paid in pain or injury.
And I hope you are able to take some mental breaks too – chronic conditions can be so draining, and you can forget how restful it is to not feel your hands. Paraffin dips, arm massage, floating in a pool, I wish these all for you.
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I second the recommendation of a workspace ergonomic evaluation if you haven’t already done it. My company has 2 ergonomists on staff, finances are tight enough that the only reason they would do this is because the benefits outweigh the cost. I spend most of the day on the computer though I certainly don’t type as much as you. But it makes a huge difference when my chair, keyboard, desk, and screen are aligned properly with the appropriate parts of my body.
I send best wishes and prayers for a quick recovery and reduced pain. And totally support you taking a generous amount of time off when you finish your contractual commitments. Come back to Innkeeper when it’s truly fun, not because you think you ought to.
I third the recommendation of an ergonomic assessment. I spend a lot of time at a desk and on computer as well and generally have an ergonomic assessment for me and team members every 18 to 24 months. New folks get one immediately. Frequent reassessments may sound like overkill but our bodies change as we age or start a diet, exercise program, etc. And you wouldn’t believe what a difference the “seat pan” on a chair makes – that is the actual seat. You wouldn’t think it would make a difference to how you type but it does – ensuring your body is properly aligned is all part of it…
I agree with all above. The relief when the work area is set right is almost instantaneous, and not just for your hands.
Happy 4th of July to all! Thank you both for the great books!
Occupational therapists do ergonomic evaluation as well. You want one who is an OTR — the R means ‘registered’; it’s a higher level certification, like RN versus LPN.
My mother is an OTR, so the entire house was organized to precisely suit six people shorter than 5’4″. Mama is very keen on wrist supports for typing, chairs raised to the proper height, and various supplies arranged so they are easily seen and precisely where the hand will reach for them.
It is always worth avoiding injury. An ounce of prevention worth a pound of cure & all that. And with repetitive injuries, the key word is repetitive. If you can’t stop typing, then take the steps necessary to make typing less injurious. Ergonomic assessment, yoga or barre classes for your posture, breaks throughout the work process, massage therapy. It won’t be one thing that helps the healing and prevents re-injury – it will be a mixed bag of things.
It is always worth avoiding injury. An ounce of prevention worth a pound of cure & all that. And with repetitive injuries, the key word is repetitive. If you can’t stop typing, then take the steps necessary to make typing less injurious. Ergonomic assessment, yoga or barre classes for your posture, breaks throughout the work process, massage therapy. It won’t be one thing that helps the healing and prevents re-injury – it will be a mixed bag of things.
So happy that it’s not diabetes or pre-diabetes. I hope you feel better soon. All the best.
Just the image of you dictating and Gordon there laughing so that your written sentences show as “and ha then ha they ha ha” etc XD
Sending best wishes to you both, Gordon happy typing and Ilona happy dictating….hugs to both of you ???
I am a long haul truck driver and your books keep me entertained for the long hours I have to drive. Thank you for that. My middle finger in my left hand also has issues from holding the steering wheel for so many years. I thought I had gout in my finger. It started swelling and got so bad I was no longer able to move it. It was finally diagnosed as trigger finger and I do daily exercises to keep my hand/finger able to move freely. Thank you again for all of your wonderful stories and characters that keep me moving down the road.
I drove OTR for 6 years. I have to say that I was also addicted to audio books during that time. 🙂
Now I only drive 1-2 hours a day, but I still listen to books in the car. As well as read them on my tablets at work for several hours a day. I know that I only listen to books that I have already read before. Because if I am listening to a new book, plus reading a new book, it can get confusing to keep things straight.
You got this, Ilona! Take it easy, and let Gordon baby you.
Get well soon! And while we miss you – HEAL UP! We will wait and be there for you.
Also wanted to add my support here to you guys re: Inn Keeper. Some people have massive entitlement issues.
I still blows my mind that some people think they are OWED something you have given to us for free as a labor of love. It makes me a little nuts.
While I love Inn Keeper and will sorely miss them, I for one (and I know I am not alone) will totally get and respect if you don’t want to do it anymore. But I also hope you don’t let the trolls who are minority of your audience ruin something for you that has given both you guys and us much pleasure in the past.
And thanks again for all you guys have done and do. Your writing has brightened many days.
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Get well Flower from my garden 😉
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Ditto on her comments there is no pleasing everyone.
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Hope your hands feel better after their rest, you probably shouldn’t do anything with them for the next two weeks. At least that would be my take if it were me. I did learn to appreciate steroid shots after several injuries but I did not let them stick a needle in my hip. But after almost 10 wks of PT, I think I would be tempted to reconsider that decision if I am ever in that position again. The shots did work wonders on my knee and shoulder. Still having trouble believing you made me like Hugh, not a lot but a little bit.
It is important to take care of yourself first. I know it must be hard to be creative with another method but with practice it gets easier. Best wishes for a smooth recovery.
After suffering through years of RMI (and still occasional flare-ups), I hope you have a reduction in pain as you go through recovery! Time is what you need – please take care of yourself!
Is it hot in Texas? (kidding) Maybe treat yourselves to a trip after Diamond Fire. We live in Florida and head to a rented house in Maine for a week every August just before I spontaneously combust. Lobster rolls, blueberry turnovers, no humidity and 40-50 degree nights. It is bliss.
Hope you’re inflammation in fingers goes down with rest! Mine usually gets a little better on my summer vacation when I get four whole weeks away from work and the constant typing, and it’s unfortunately because I rest them as much as I can (so have had to give uo computer games). I have had psoriasis arthritis in my hands since my mid twenties, so I really really feel for you with the hands!
Since some of the best advice and tips I have gotten for managing my pain and inflammations has come from fellow sufferers I wanted to just pay it forward, hope you don’t take offence at unasked for “advice”…
First, I applaud your instincts about cortison shots, I got them my first years, and though I think they have their uses, I have anaged to avoid them for four years now, and will only consider it again if the pain gets really unbearable. Because they are often VERY painfull to get, for days after, and only works if the doctor is skilled and gets the injection just right. They can also damage your joints if given incorrectlg, which then takes months to heal. Plus the cortison, even in shots, when you take them regularily, can mess with your weight (NOT fun suprise…)
I get bad inflammations much more seldom now, partly because I get biological medicins, but also because I tapemy fingers! That is my biggest tip, apart from the usual “rest and apply topical anti inflammatory” advice they always give you… Right now my hands are bad, but I have to work, so I use sports tape, cut into a long oval (slightly shorter thanthe finger, and about 4 cm wide). Then I cut an oval hole inside that oval, and tape the piece on to the finger from the top of the finger backwards. The tape should go along the side of the finger, leaving the joint tape free, but “lifted”. Aparently the theory is that it gives a little bit of more room or something in the joint, but I do it because it helps lessen the pain, probably by stabalising the finger. I also feel like it helps lessen the overtaxing of my hands when I have to work with an ongoing inflammation.
I’m using this right now on my hands and this week they feel better than the last, so I hope to survive the summer without my regulat physio therapist sessions of hot parafin hand baths, which are good for keeping the inflammations at bay, but unfortunately do nothing ones I have one, which was why I didn’t think of that under the “tips froma fellow sufferer”…
Anyways, wanted to spread the word on taping fingers, it was a bit hard describing how one cuts out the tape, hope it makes a little sense. I imagine there must be pictures on the internet since my physio therapist came back from a seminar with a book, but one has to experiment a little I think, to find the best shape for ones own fingers…
Best wishes and hope you will recover quickly and fully!
I have had paraffin baths on my feet. They are divine!
Paraffin baths work great for your hand pain. I also like to put therapy putty in the fidge. Aspercreme or lidocaine gel work pretty good. But when my hands hurt really bad I tape my fingers with Lidocaine patches or Salonpas patches while I sleep.
I hope you find Dragon to be so good that you use it all the time and can save your fingers for other things like knitting and gaming.
15ish years ago I worked at a university, and the senior academic I worked for used Dragon cos of arthritis in his fingers. Even that far back it good enough to make a huge difference for him and I hope the software has continued to improve.
While I am thankful for all the energy you direct into your work, I hate to think it caused you injury. I love each and every piece of writing you guys have produced and have read them multiple times. I hope your hands heal completely. Do you also have to abstain from your knitting? Maybe you can knit and dictate?
Get well soon! I know everybody and their brothers probably gave you advice, but did you try using green clay poultice ? it works wonderfully on inflammations… (also NO NEEDLE!) I used it a lot when I had problems to my knees tendons.
So glad there is no long term diseases. So sorry that you have soft tissue injury. Thank you both for all the great books!
Along with the soaking, topical rubs, and tapping I would also recommend a big cushy steering wheel pad or cushion. That has helped me loads! You can get them for $10-20. The more cushion the better. You don’t think it will help, but it really does.
Rest well! When you publish I will buy!
Take care of your hands. Take whatever time you need for you.
Thanks you, Ilona Andrews, for the great news. I was thinking carpal tunnel not pre diabetic or diabetic issue.
Regarding steroid shots, everyone reacts differently to steroids. Me personally I turn into someone who makes the wicked witch look like an angel. One of my siblings is pain free, happy, nice…
Regarding Dragon software, Dad loved it even when he started slurring his words. So I am glad it is working for you.
Regarding Gordon, I ROFLOLED until pup came to make sure I was okay. I could just picture Gordon maniacally laughing and typing. Thanks for the chuckle.
One word of caution, soft tissue inflammation and damage takes longer to heal than you would expect especially hands /wrists/ feet/ ankles no matter your age. So listen to your doctor and let Gordon help you.
Thanks again. For good news.
Yes. On the longer to heal – I’m surprised you only have to not type for 2 weeks. Hopefully that’s a long enough break.
Do take your time. When you feel ready to begin again, no marathon typing events. Ease back in slowwwwwly!
Good luck with finishing Diamond Fire. And remember to stop and smell the roses every now and then!
Very glad to hear that you haven’t got a chronic condition and I hope that the rest will help your hands get better soon.
Sending you lots of healing energy and hoping that the two weeks will be enough, given your demanding schedule. I am really completely amazed at the sheer number of words that you type and the marathon session you described- wow.
So I’m feeling a little guilty and sad that all the work you’re doing which results in so many wonderful books for us to enjoy causes you such pain.
But rest assured we treasure every word you write and I will gladly reread my trove of your books while your hands heal.
Good luck and best wishes for a full recovery. And hopefully you’ll find something to tide you over since you’re probably suffering from knitting withdrawal on top of that, this must really be trying.
I recently injured my finger and learned how many things you never think about until they become a challenge all of a sudden- so I’m hoping you’ll get lots of help and that you can tame the Dragon to make things easier on your hands.
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so very happy to read this.
knowing there is no underlying issue and that it is “only” (ha!) overuse is a much much better outcome.
I understand hand injuries – had to have carpal tunnel surgery for much the same reason (even though I Know how to hold my hands/wrists from years of piano).
Wishing you all the best – and No Typing (I also understand the evil cackles that accompany that prescription).
Your health and ability to use your hands is Far More Important.
Do what you can, when you can.
🙂
Great news on the long term illness side but take care of your hands and keep dictatingvto Gordon. The idea of him laughing as you dictste snd the typing makes me smile (and will every time i think of it). Keep well both of you.
Please take a break when you can. Don’t worry about inn keeper. Someone suggested paraffin bath for your hands. I have had this on my feet, it is divine. If the doctor ok’s it you can also get it done at a nail salon. I have thought of you often, sending you good vibes. I keep rereading Iron and Magic. I have to say Hugh and Elara are higher on my list of heroes and heroines then Kate and Curren. I love them together!
Gahhhhaaa!
I whacked my right hand a few days ago, believe me I know what it’s like.
Get better soon.
So very glad to hear it nothing super serious….rest up and take your time coming back. Your well being is the most important thing. (I dictated this on my phone and only had to correct 8 words, rolls eyes) Wish you a speedy recovery! Now im going back to reading….?
Yay! That’s all. Yay!
Wishing you an excellent recovery. You have achieved so much, and now it’s time to get a proper rest.
Ilona – there’s suddenly no Reply buttons or Comments box in the latest Innkeeper chapter. While comments are still working here. Is it intentional to shut down the comments section there?
Maybe they’re full after a certain number? It was inching toward 1200 last I looked.
Hi Simon, comments for the entire multisite are on a 2 week timer. No comments can be made after the post is two weeks old. It’s done this way to keep people from commenting on posts from 5 years ago.
OK – Thanks Ilona, I understand. Hope your hands get better soon so you can start feeding the BDH again! 😉
I’m so glad that the diagnosis wasn’t something more serious. Well obviously it’s not good that you’ve damaged your hands in the first place but I’m glad it’s not something like diabetes and that with rest your hands should recover! It’s good that you seem to be getting on okay with dictating too, hopefully that will help prevent you from injuries in the future.
I’m glad you’ve got Gordon to take on the lion’s share of the typing for Diamond Fire but perhaps when you’ve finished that you guys should try and take a proper break! As much as we all love Innkeeper I think the majority of your fans are more concerned about your health and happiness than when we’ll get the next instalment. Whatever works for you but don’t stress out, relax and give your body time to recover fully and I really hope your poor fingers are feeling better soon!
Yayyyyy!!! Awesome news. And if you end up having to try any other dictation programs, I’d love to hear about them…but consensus is you started with the best.
I hope the diagnosis from your doctor helps with the worries for a while. My husband’s favorite comment from his doctor was “You’re boring. Come back next year.” It sounds as if the blood sugar element got a similar verdict. (Yay!)
It hopes of making your day a bit brighter, I am sending you a photo (if it works) of Lady Alvina Krahr. She is a 3 month old Maine Coon kitten and will grow into her name with time.
Squee! (For the kitty) Big name to live up to.
Beautiful kitty—love her name!
Will you call her Karat for short name? *giggle*
Of course. One of the best things was that people who don’t read Innkeeper will have no idea how I got Karat out of Lady Alvina…
Lovely! She already has the attitude down.
so glad you had good health news and even more, what a great team to be able to continue to work! I hope you get to take some time for yourselves and your family. Thanks for all you do!
The rest cure is the one that really works with soft tissue injuries. I had plantar fasciitis and everyone kept just saying that’s it until someone finally listened to what I was saying about 2 kinds of pain, one feeling more like stretchy, tendon type pain and the other like in the bone. Finally got sent to the right specialist, and I was right. I also had stress fractures in both feet, one worse than the other. They threatened me with a wheelchair if I didn’t use the soft cast for the bad foot and stayed off them as much as possible for 4 -6 weeks. I managed 4 weeks, and tapered off the cast, and ya know, both types of pain were much improved. Imagine that. I keep up with the exercises for pf, am very careful about choice of shoes, and have much less problems with feet. So I think this is the time to follow medical advice, since this advice will at worst not cause more damage.
Thanks for the update and allllll the love you give your readers over the years. You two are magical and we (your fans) are so lucky to have you and your work. Take your time and heal yourself.
PS – I am on my second read of Iron and Magic. It’s AMAZING
So glad to hear the good news- & I guess that just means you should take a vacation since speak to text stinks!
Long after carpal tunnel surgery I still use & love my ergonomic keyboard, even though all the letters are worn off, & love my vertical ergonomic mouse. I hope you’re not typing on an awful laptop keyboard. Hopefully Gordon has strong hands not only to type with but to give you frequent hand massages! (:
Ilona, go get a delux mainicure! …And have you tried going to a beauty supply house & getting a parafin wax dip spa kit for home? I have lavender and eucalyptus wax-So soothing for aching tired hands. You can take turns wrapping each other’s dipped hands in syran wrap & towels and kick back & relax!
Glad you’ve gotten some answers! The worst is not knowing. Rest and dictate (too much fun that might be!) and we’ll see Innkeeper when we see it.
“Ottoman Magic” – much smaller than a flying carpet, kind of like those Smart Cars vs a standard sedan??
(If you end up having to have cortisone shots, you should get lots of really good chocolate as the reward!!)
Well, good news on diabetes. As for Dragon Speak, I’ve heard once it learns your voice and patterns, that it is quite decent. Obviously will require better editing than your norm, but that’s a small price to pay to have working hands that don’t ache. You take care of you. We’ll wait with bated breath as long as necessary. ? Love anything you write. Maud is a favorite!
Hope you feel better soon! Take care of yourself and don’t overdo it. As a fan of your work, I’m always ready to read anything you write, but I’d rather only get 1 book a year and you have more rest than you feel bad and hurting or pushing yourself to write when it’s not enjoyable to you anymore!
Totally glad it was something workable, even if a bit stressful. I can’t play guitar for longer than an hour before I pull my hand off the frets and it shakes like I’ve got Parkinson’s. The next day I can’t play at all because my fingers simply won’t’ close over the neck. I’ve been told it’s because I hold it too hard, well I can’t push down the dang strings OTHERWISE! People with tiny girl fingers and palms can’t reach the other side of the manly neck!
I’m not bitter. Nope. I just go play piano and trumpet and pretend my hands aren’t shaking.
Glad you’re going to mend! Now, make Gordon take ALL the diction!
Please take care of your hands, they are a treasure. if I couldn’t read any more of your books, I have no idea what I’d do.
Please take good care of your hands, they are a treasure. If I could no longer read new books by you I have no idea what I would do
Gah. I hate dictation. I’ve been an attorney for a long time and I still type all of my own briefs. (Control issues). This has to be hugely annoying for you. Sorry.
Excellent news ! Getting better takes time – but time is needed for the hands to heal so don’t overdo it when you’re let loose again 🙂 All in all – excellent news all around everything (couldn’t find a way to say all in there again).
Best wishes and good luck with Naturally Speaking – it might need a little tweaking since y’all apparently have an accent.