Message Triage

[xela]

If you've sent anything, via any medium, in the last 48 hours hat you have been expecting or hoping that I would reply to or at least acknowledge, please read this post.

Overwhelmed doesn't begin to describe my current state. In addition to the many ordinary life things that take vastly more time and energy and planning in my ~100 year old apartment with its narrow doorways than they did in Neville Center, and the infuriating annoyances of the health-care "system" and all the associated incomprehension and decision fatigue, I find myself needing to think about the logistics of conducting my online life  — which, while always important, right now is essential to coping with my meatspace problems.

I'm no less exhausted than at any time in the last several weeks. Which means a lot of the time, I just need to lay down. I'm sure I must have whined here about the lousy ergonomics of using my laptop from a hospital bed. But it was in fact possible: I can do nothing of the sort from my bed at home. The best option I'd found was lay face down with my head hanging over the edge of the bed and the laptop on the floor, which is uncomfortable and not something I can manage for more than a few minutes. Which is why the vast majority of both my reading and writing in the past 48 hours have happened in the relatively few hours I can spend in the wheelchair sitting at a table. Transferring myself from bed to wheelchair and back is both painful and dangerous, so I don't want to do it more than once a day.

All of which is a long-winded way of explaining why, counting email, Liveournal and Facebook, I am currently several hundred messages behind. And have not been on zephyr at all since I got home.

But I have now figured out a way use my laptop while seated on the edge of my bed. I noticed among the oddments scattered around my apartment a roughly 4 foot long 1 x 6. Which, when laid across the top of my walker, makes a tolerable laptop desk. Not comfortable by any means, but a relatively unpainful position to move into from laying down. And with better typing ergonomics than I ever got from the tray table over the hospital bed.

Once I post this, I'm going to take some more pain meds and go back to sleep. The next time my wake up, I will begin triaging my backlog of messages. Once I have done that, I will post another message saying that I've finished said triage, which will include instructions for how to contact me in a way that will be guaranteed to get my attention if I have not by then replied to a message you think it important that I attend to.

Thank you all for standing by my side  — not to mention putting up with me  — during this difficult time.

Comments

[motodraconis.livejournal.com]

I really want to help, but I'm so far away! Would you consider a paypal donate button or give me your paypal email so I can send you some pennies? The US health system beggars belief, and the least I could do is send you a few bob to help pay for your doctors consultation.

[patricia hawkins (from livejournal.com)]

Here's a reclining laptop holder; $100, >4 days to ship from PA.
http://www.laptop-laidback.com/advantages-of-this-laptop-bed-table/

It's very adjustable, and the reviews look good; it allows the user to lie flat, with arms resting and supported in a natural position.

The reviews look good, and I don't start to hurt looking at it (I had longterm RSI, now better; but it left me keenly aware of what postures would start to hurt over time with use.)

Amazon reviews: 3 reviews; 2 longterm users give five stars; another person couldn't figure out they had the screws in the wrong holes.

Notes: very adjustable, easy to get back to a favorite adjustment, wide enough for one very big guy, who uses it 6-8 hours/day.

http://www.amazon.com/Laptop-Laidback-Designed-Reclined-Table/dp/B007KTM6H4

[fiddlejig.livejournal.com]

Here's a reclining laptop holder; $100, >4 days to ship from PA.
http://www.laptop-laidback.com/advantages-of-this-laptop-bed-table/

It's very adjustable, and the reviews look good; it allows the user to lie flat, with arms resting and supported in a natural position.

The reviews look good, and I don't start to hurt looking at it (I had longterm RSI, now better; but it left me keenly aware of what postures would start to hurt over time with use.)

Amazon reviews: 3 reviews; 2 longterm users give five stars; another person couldn't figure out they had the screws in the wrong holes.

Notes: very adjustable, easy to get back to a favorite adjustment, wide enough for one very big guy, who uses it 6-8 hours/day.

http://www.amazon.com/Laptop-Laidback-Designed-Reclined-Table/dp/B007KTM6H4

-- Patricia Hawkins

[yakshaver.livejournal.com]

Oh Moto, what a wonderful offer. But I'm not hard up financially, just trying to make sure not to imagine I have a bottomless bank balance.

How about you take me out for a pint and a curry next time I'm in London instead?

[motodraconis.livejournal.com]

You're on! Curry and real ale it is!