valsalia

So! I've been a little slow lately, what's up with that?

Added 2018-04-15 18:11:34 +0000 UTC

Hey! Probably should've made an announcement about this before, but I was hoping to get something taken care of before it became an actual issue worth writing about. Well it's definitely an issue, so time to share what's up!

I've been dealing with some cubital tunnel syndrome for a couple months or so (numbness/tingling/etc in the pinky side of the hand and arm), which was annoying, but was still something I could work with, as long as I adopted better drawing posture and such.

WELL I DIDN'T DO IT RIGHT.

I'd been holding my arm at a 90 degree angle above the table/drawing tablet, which did take the pressure off the cubital tunnel nerve area, but apparently that shifted all the weight to the muscle I use most while drawing, which runs from around the base of the thumb to the inner, lower area of the inside of the elbow. So that muscle remained fully tensed for upwards of 8 hours a day, in addition to all the tight micromovements I make to draw.

So now I've got tendonitis (torn tendon where it connects the bone to the muscle), which is like a zillion times worse than the cubital tunnel stuff.

Ever had your blood drawn? There's a pinching sting at the insertion site, but the bigger sensation is that weird dull, aching throb deeper down past the skin layer where all the soft sensitive bits are. That's what it feels like. And if you've ever tried to draw with an arm that has a blood-drawing needle stuck deep inside it, then good god why the hell are you doing that, take the needle out first you masochist

So I admit I was really, really worried about the present and future. Medical expenses from the arm exam, plus lack of comics posted, means I've been hemorrhaging money, and the one thing I can do to make more money is the exact thing that will make the problem worse, so it felt like an unsolvable problem, threatening to put a stop to my comicmaking right as it was really taking off. I gotta admit, I was really, really scared.

So I've been spending a huge amount of time getting it looked at professionally, searching the internet for info, and talking with other artists who've dealt with similar issues to help me figure something, anything out that might dig me outta this dangerous hole.

And I'm intensely glad to say that things are looking hopeful now. I've got a huge amount of good info gathered about how to sit/draw to put the absolute minimum amount of strain on my arm possible, I've downloaded a program that forces me to take frequent breaks, and a wall full of printed out doc-recommended stretches and light exercises for therapy and recovery. This shit's serious, with the possibility of crippling my arm for months or even years if not taken seriously, so seriously is exactly how I'm takin' it.

I'm still drawing, but taking many more breaks, and stopping for the day once the tendon starts getting that needle-ey feeling. And I'm super lucky to have some good artbuddies who've volunteered to handle parts of the comicmaking that won't make things look too different, like the flat coloring stage.

The next week or two is critical is making sure that this is a temporary issue, and not one that'll linger for months, so I'm taking every measure and precaution I can. I've typed this whole thing with my left hand only, could you tell? : D

(No because I corrected the many many typos as I made 'em)

So! Things might remain slow for a bit. I was gearing up to make this my first 4-comic minimum month, but upon further consideration, it's far more important to not destroy my damn arm. I've got some savings to dip into, so I should be fine this month- still aiming for 3 comics + Patreon stuff. I've also been kinda quiet online, because typing uses a lotta the same muscles, and left-handed peck-typing is exactly as fun and fast as it sounds!

All in all, I've been dealing with a potentially super-serious problem, and I'm now turning every ounce of my attention and efforts to rehabbing, so that I can ensure it's a very temporary problem, instead of a "well this is my life now" variety. And now, armed as I am with so much good info and practices, things are looking very hopeful, in place of the bleakness that there was in the past couple of weeks. The next OOPs page is almost done, so posting will resume shortly.

Thanks for your patience; it means so, so much to me right now. : )