There are a large number of people dealing with chronic pain, myself included, and I think people who don't deal with it don't always understand what it's really like, so I'm going to try to put into words some of the things I deal with and some of the things I've heard and read from others.
When you're dealing with chronic pain, life becomes something like a jigsaw puzzle, with the pieces of the puzzle being different aspects of your life, and as the pain takes over, you can visually see the different pieces of your life puzzle disappearing. For example, my little one will ask me to pick her up, but I know if I do, it will hurt...and a piece of my life disappears.
As the pain increases for anyone dealing with chronic pain, more things disappear from their lives, more puzzle pieces vanish, and you can never be sure if you'll get them back. Eventually, the pain begins to effect everything and everyone in your life. It begins to effect your relationships with your family, friends, co-workers, and even people you don't know, because the pain drains your energy and will often leave you angry and depressed. Again, more and more pieces of the puzzle that is your life are gone, and sometimes there's no way of getting those pieces back.
As the pieces slowly disappear from your life, you're eventually left with only one puzzle piece, and the only thing that piece says is pain, and it says it in large bold letters. The pain takes over your life and dominates everything. It's at this point that many sufferers take the final way out, and if non-sufferers realized what they were going through, they might understand why they take this option. It's not cowardice that causes people to take this option, but when personal strength is one of the puzzle pieces that disappears, sometimes this seems like the only option. If you know you still have twenty, thirty, or forty years to live, and you know you'll suffer every day of those years, sometimes it seems like the option...but hopefully people that feel this way, can find something to hold on to.
For myself, I'm now to a point where a four hour shift leaves me almost doubled over in pain, and even sitting up at the computer for a couple of hours leaves me almost debilitated, but there is still hope. We'll have new insurance in May and I can get back on the meds that work. Granted, I can't stay on meds forever, but we also have a surgeon that we'll be meeting with, and hopefully he can fix things, and maybe I can pick my little girl up again, and I can be the person I was before pain become one of the few pieces left in the puzzle of my life.
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Nomadic Delirium Press is having a sale
From the Nomadic Delirium Press blog:
You can get a number of our books for 10% off now until the end of April. There are short story collections, anthologies, magazines, games, and game supplements. This even includes a couple of our most recent releases (Crisis Averted by Laura Givens and Quantum Women by Tyree Campbell.)
No coupon codes, just go to http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/shop and click on the titles with the "Sale" icons.
You can get a number of our books for 10% off now until the end of April. There are short story collections, anthologies, magazines, games, and game supplements. This even includes a couple of our most recent releases (Crisis Averted by Laura Givens and Quantum Women by Tyree Campbell.)
No coupon codes, just go to http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/shop and click on the titles with the "Sale" icons.
Friday, March 18, 2016
Save on my e-stories and e-books
Now through the end of April, you can save 50% off of your entire purchase of e-books and e-stories through my website at http://www.jalanerwine.com/blog/shop. It doesn't matter how many, or how few titles your order, just use the coupon code "new" at checkout, and it will take 50% off of everything in your cart...and since they're e-books, there's never any shipping and handling.
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
The Ephemeris Encyclopedia Galacitca: Sector Forty-Four (Lomisian Space)
From the Nomadic Delirium Press website:
The exploration of "Deep Space" continues.
Welcome to Sector Forty-Four, the home system of the Lomisians. Here you'll find their homeworld, and many of the worlds they've colonized. You'll also find worlds that have been taken from the Lomisians. Plus you'll find worlds that even the Lomisians avoid, and damaged systems that are a danger to all, but a challenge for the brave.
Available from us at: http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/ephemeris-encyclopedia-galactica-sector-forty-four-lomisian-space/
Available from DriveThruRPG at: http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/177714/The-Ephemeris-Encyclopedia-Galactica-Sectors-FortyFour-Lomisian-Space
This title will also be available as a digital download from all of the usual distributors...
The exploration of "Deep Space" continues.
Welcome to Sector Forty-Four, the home system of the Lomisians. Here you'll find their homeworld, and many of the worlds they've colonized. You'll also find worlds that have been taken from the Lomisians. Plus you'll find worlds that even the Lomisians avoid, and damaged systems that are a danger to all, but a challenge for the brave.
Available from us at: http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/ephemeris-encyclopedia-galactica-sector-forty-four-lomisian-space/
Available from DriveThruRPG at: http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/177714/The-Ephemeris-Encyclopedia-Galactica-Sectors-FortyFour-Lomisian-Space
This title will also be available as a digital download from all of the usual distributors...
Order e-stories and e-books
It's taken me many months, but I finally have almost all of my short stories now available as e-book downloads. Also, several of the books I've edited and written are also available. There are three places you can order them from...
You can get them directly from me at http://www.jalanerwine.com/blog/shop
You can get them from Smashwords at https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jaerwine
And you can order them on Kindle at http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B0035AMA0A
I, of course, would prefer that you order them from my website, since I make more money that way, but please feel free to order them wherever you can find them...and if you like them, please feel free to leave a review.
You can get them directly from me at http://www.jalanerwine.com/blog/shop
You can get them from Smashwords at https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jaerwine
And you can order them on Kindle at http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B0035AMA0A
I, of course, would prefer that you order them from my website, since I make more money that way, but please feel free to order them wherever you can find them...and if you like them, please feel free to leave a review.
Tuesday, March 08, 2016
F'ing health insurance
As I mentioned previously, we had to change health insurance companies recently, and as a result, the company forced me to change the meds I take for my chronic pain. Now that I've been on the meds for a couple of weeks, I can say that the health insurance company is completely wrong in their decision. I'm dealing with more side effects than I did on my previous med. I'm much more tired and deal with dizziness quite often. More importantly, it doesn't do anything for my pain.
On the old meds, I almost always had dull aching pain, but rarely did I have days where I was in intense pain, and I even had days where I was painless. With these meds, I'm always in pain, and it's almost the same as if I wasn't on meds. The pain is often almost debilitating. It's hard for me to sit in this hard chair that I sit in to work from home, and when I have to go to work, I almost always come home in intense pain.
The unfortunate thing about this is that the insurance requires that I be on this med for three months before I can go back to my old meds. Someone needs to explain to me why insurance companies are allowed to make health decisions for people that overrule the decisions of their doctors. That's beyond insane, but since they pretty much own both political parties, there's not much any of us can do...
On the old meds, I almost always had dull aching pain, but rarely did I have days where I was in intense pain, and I even had days where I was painless. With these meds, I'm always in pain, and it's almost the same as if I wasn't on meds. The pain is often almost debilitating. It's hard for me to sit in this hard chair that I sit in to work from home, and when I have to go to work, I almost always come home in intense pain.
The unfortunate thing about this is that the insurance requires that I be on this med for three months before I can go back to my old meds. Someone needs to explain to me why insurance companies are allowed to make health decisions for people that overrule the decisions of their doctors. That's beyond insane, but since they pretty much own both political parties, there's not much any of us can do...
Sunday, March 06, 2016
GM's Day Sale
Taken from the Nomadic Delirium Press blog:
For the next week and a half, you can pick up all of the Ephemeris titles for 30% off from DriveThruRPG at http://www.drivethrurpg.com/rpg_gmsday.php?manufacturers_id=2805&filters=0_0_0_0_0_31817#selectpub. It's a great time to add to your game, or for you to start playing the game...
For the next week and a half, you can pick up all of the Ephemeris titles for 30% off from DriveThruRPG at http://www.drivethrurpg.com/rpg_gmsday.php?manufacturers_id=2805&filters=0_0_0_0_0_31817#selectpub. It's a great time to add to your game, or for you to start playing the game...
Tuesday, March 01, 2016
Monday, February 29, 2016
The March 2016 issue of The Fifth Di... is here
The Fifth Di… returns to print in 2016!
The first print issue in many years features the fiction of Robert N. Stephenson, Ian Brazee-Cannon, Robert P. Hansen and John Grey.
A man is driven to desperation in his effort to find his father. An immortal finds himself among mortals seeking his secret, a secret he can’t give them. Another man has been taking advantage of the misfortunes of others after an asteroid impacts Earth, and now he must face the consequences. And a mission to find life on another planet has failed again and again…now what will happen when they are forced to go to yet another planet?
http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/the-fifth-di-march-2016/
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/615060
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BPSQXVK
The first print issue in many years features the fiction of Robert N. Stephenson, Ian Brazee-Cannon, Robert P. Hansen and John Grey.
A man is driven to desperation in his effort to find his father. An immortal finds himself among mortals seeking his secret, a secret he can’t give them. Another man has been taking advantage of the misfortunes of others after an asteroid impacts Earth, and now he must face the consequences. And a mission to find life on another planet has failed again and again…now what will happen when they are forced to go to yet another planet?
http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/the-fifth-di-march-2016/
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/615060
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BPSQXVK
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Order the March 2016 issue of The Fifth Di... early
Borrowed from the Nomadic Delirium Press blog:
It's still a week until the release of the March 2016 issue of The Fifth Di..., but you can pre-order the print (yes, print) edition now, or...you can download the EPUB version today and read it a week early. The print edition sells for $7.00 and the digital version will sell for $1.99, but if you order it before the release date, it's only $1.49. Go to http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/the-fifth-di-march-2016/ and order your copy today...
The Fifth Di… returns to print in 2016!
The first print issue in many years features the fiction of Robert N. Stephenson, Ian Brazee-Cannon, Robert P. Hansen and John Grey.
A man is driven to desperation in his effort to find his father. An immortal finds himself among mortals seeking his secret, a secret he can’t give them. Another man has been taking advantage of the misfortunes of others after an asteroid impacts Earth, and now he must face the consequences. And a mission to find life on another planet has failed again and again…now what will happen when they are forced to go to yet another planet?
It's still a week until the release of the March 2016 issue of The Fifth Di..., but you can pre-order the print (yes, print) edition now, or...you can download the EPUB version today and read it a week early. The print edition sells for $7.00 and the digital version will sell for $1.99, but if you order it before the release date, it's only $1.49. Go to http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/product/the-fifth-di-march-2016/ and order your copy today...
The Fifth Di… returns to print in 2016!
The first print issue in many years features the fiction of Robert N. Stephenson, Ian Brazee-Cannon, Robert P. Hansen and John Grey.
A man is driven to desperation in his effort to find his father. An immortal finds himself among mortals seeking his secret, a secret he can’t give them. Another man has been taking advantage of the misfortunes of others after an asteroid impacts Earth, and now he must face the consequences. And a mission to find life on another planet has failed again and again…now what will happen when they are forced to go to yet another planet?
Saturday, February 20, 2016
More health insurance BS
Health insurance companies in the United States are out of control, trying to control people's lives, and dictating what kind of medical help they can get.
As many readers of this blog know, I suffer from chronic pain. For the last several months, I've been on a medication that has helped alleviate some of this pain. I'm far from pain-free, but I'm living much better than I used to. Unfortunately, we had to change health insurance plans, and the last time I went to get my prescription filled, I was informed that my new insurance would not cover it. We went round and round between me, them, the pharmacy, and the doctor. We finally were able to learn that the new insurance company will not allow people to take the medication that I've been on if they haven't first tried another drug, and so they are forcing me to change medications. The medication I'm now having to take has been clinically shown to be less effective in treating chronic pain than the medication I've been on, and it also has a lot more side effects. Of course, it's also cheaper for the insurance company, so I'm forced to change.
Even worse, this whole process took about a week to resolve, and I didn't have enough of the original medication to last a week, so I had to space out my doses, which, of course, has made me very sick.
Now I'm going to have to deal with withdrawal symptoms from the one drug and new side-effects of the new drug...should be a fun couple of weeks...
Something really needs to be done about these insurance companies.
As many readers of this blog know, I suffer from chronic pain. For the last several months, I've been on a medication that has helped alleviate some of this pain. I'm far from pain-free, but I'm living much better than I used to. Unfortunately, we had to change health insurance plans, and the last time I went to get my prescription filled, I was informed that my new insurance would not cover it. We went round and round between me, them, the pharmacy, and the doctor. We finally were able to learn that the new insurance company will not allow people to take the medication that I've been on if they haven't first tried another drug, and so they are forcing me to change medications. The medication I'm now having to take has been clinically shown to be less effective in treating chronic pain than the medication I've been on, and it also has a lot more side effects. Of course, it's also cheaper for the insurance company, so I'm forced to change.
Even worse, this whole process took about a week to resolve, and I didn't have enough of the original medication to last a week, so I had to space out my doses, which, of course, has made me very sick.
Now I'm going to have to deal with withdrawal symptoms from the one drug and new side-effects of the new drug...should be a fun couple of weeks...
Something really needs to be done about these insurance companies.
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Crisis Averted by Laura Givens
Crisis Averted by Laura Givens is here! Pick up an e-book or print copy of the book now...What constitutes being human?
Why are gods so bad at poker?
How would you square dance in zero-gee?
What is the alcohol tolerance of a superhero?
When is a good time to visit the universe next door?
Why does Buffalo Bill want a T-Rex?
Is Buggs Bunny transgendered or just a drag queen?
None of these questions are answered herein, but asking them is half the fun.
For all ordering options, please visit http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/crisisaverted.htm
Saturday, February 13, 2016
Pre-order the e-book version of the March issue of The Fifth Di...
The e-book version of the March issue of The Fifth Di... is now
available for pre-order. 2016 marks the return of The Fifth Di... to
print, and the print version will be available on February 29th.
The Fifth Di... returns to print in 2016!
The first print issue in many years features the fiction of Robert N. Stephenson, Ian Brazee-Cannon, Robert P. Hansen and John Grey.
A man is driven to desperation in his effort to find his father. An immortal finds himself among mortals seeking his secret, a secret he can't give them. Another man has been taking advantage of the misfortunes of others after an asteroid impacts Earth, and now he must face the consequences. And a mission to find life on another planet has failed again and again...now what will happen when they are forced to go to yet another planet?
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/615060
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BPSQXVK?
The Fifth Di... returns to print in 2016!
The first print issue in many years features the fiction of Robert N. Stephenson, Ian Brazee-Cannon, Robert P. Hansen and John Grey.
A man is driven to desperation in his effort to find his father. An immortal finds himself among mortals seeking his secret, a secret he can't give them. Another man has been taking advantage of the misfortunes of others after an asteroid impacts Earth, and now he must face the consequences. And a mission to find life on another planet has failed again and again...now what will happen when they are forced to go to yet another planet?
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/615060
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BPSQXVK?
Thursday, February 04, 2016
Life. Don't talk to me about life
As most of the readers of this blog know, 2015 was a rough year for my family. It was our hope that 2016 would be an improvement, but so far it has been anything but...
I don't want to go into details, other than to say that no one is sick, but so far 2016 has kicked us in the ass over and over again, and I'm really getting tired of it.
All I have to say is...Is it 2017 yet?
I don't want to go into details, other than to say that no one is sick, but so far 2016 has kicked us in the ass over and over again, and I'm really getting tired of it.
All I have to say is...Is it 2017 yet?
Monday, February 01, 2016
Sunday, January 17, 2016
E-books are now available on my website
Many of the short stories I've sold over the years are now available on my website as e-books. In addition, some of the books I've written and edited are also available on the site. This is a new store that I've set up, and it's just waiting for you to stop by and shop. Go to http://jalanerwine.com/blog/shop/. And if you shop between now and the end of the month, simply enter the coupon code "new" at checkout, and you'll get 25% off your entire cart.
I will be adding more titles to the store over the next few weeks, so keep stopping by and shopping often.
I will be adding more titles to the store over the next few weeks, so keep stopping by and shopping often.
Friday, January 15, 2016
Order e-books directly from the Nomadic Delirium Press website
Taken from the Nomadic Delirium Press blog:
We've completed the e-book transition in our bookstore. You can now order all but two of our e-book titles in EPUB format. The two exceptions are Ephemeris supplements that don't translate into EPUB format very well, and actually need to be PDF books.
You can order any of our novels, magazines, collections, anthologies and game books in EPUB format, which is usable on a large number of e-readers, and is also easily translated into other formats like MOBI, which is what the Kindle uses.
So, what are you waiting for...start ordering your books now... http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/shop
We've completed the e-book transition in our bookstore. You can now order all but two of our e-book titles in EPUB format. The two exceptions are Ephemeris supplements that don't translate into EPUB format very well, and actually need to be PDF books.
You can order any of our novels, magazines, collections, anthologies and game books in EPUB format, which is usable on a large number of e-readers, and is also easily translated into other formats like MOBI, which is what the Kindle uses.
So, what are you waiting for...start ordering your books now... http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/shop
Sunday, January 10, 2016
Nomadic Delirium zines now available as EPUB files
Taken from the Nomadic Delirium Press blog:
A few days ago we posted that all of our novels, short story collections, and anthologies were now available as EPUB files through our store. Now we're happy to add that all of our magazines are now available as EPUB files as well. You can download issues of The Martian Wave, The Fifth Di..., or Spaceports & Spidersilk and start reading them right now.
Place your order today at: http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/shop
A few days ago we posted that all of our novels, short story collections, and anthologies were now available as EPUB files through our store. Now we're happy to add that all of our magazines are now available as EPUB files as well. You can download issues of The Martian Wave, The Fifth Di..., or Spaceports & Spidersilk and start reading them right now.
Place your order today at: http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/shop
Thursday, January 07, 2016
Nomadic Delirium Press titles now available as EPUB files through their store
Taken from the Nomadic Delirium Press website:
Since we started marketing e-books, we've been selling all of our e-books as PDF files through our website. Granted, you could pick up other formats of our books from other sites, but we're now slowly working on converting all of our e-books into EPUB format, which is much easier to use when you're trying to read an e-book.
For the moment, we've made all of our fiction titles available in this format. That means you can now download, Quantum Women, A Robot, a Cyborg, and a Martian Walk into a Spacebar, Taurin Tales, The Opium of the People, Marionettes on the Moon, Just Because, The Poet, and Seedlings on the Solar Winds. So, what are you waiting for...
http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/shop
Next we're going to be converting our magazines, and then we'll start on the RPG's and all of the supplements. All future titles will be available through our website in this format as well.
Since we started marketing e-books, we've been selling all of our e-books as PDF files through our website. Granted, you could pick up other formats of our books from other sites, but we're now slowly working on converting all of our e-books into EPUB format, which is much easier to use when you're trying to read an e-book.
For the moment, we've made all of our fiction titles available in this format. That means you can now download, Quantum Women, A Robot, a Cyborg, and a Martian Walk into a Spacebar, Taurin Tales, The Opium of the People, Marionettes on the Moon, Just Because, The Poet, and Seedlings on the Solar Winds. So, what are you waiting for...
http://nomadicdeliriumpress.com/blog/shop
Next we're going to be converting our magazines, and then we'll start on the RPG's and all of the supplements. All future titles will be available through our website in this format as well.
Sunday, January 03, 2016
Disharmony of the Spheres update
Taken from the Nomadic Delirium Press blog:
For those of you that are interested in submitting to our upcoming anthology, Disharmony of the Spheres, we've currently accepted just over 20,000 words of fiction. We're looking for a final length of 60,000-80,000 words, but you never know how quickly it might fill up, so please get your submissions in...
Disharmony of the Spheres will be a science fiction anthology in which the main character must be battling some type of mental illness. While we will consider stories where the character is dealing with an illness like schizophrenia or multiple personality disorder, what we really want to see is characters that are battling an illness like depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, PTSD, etc. This is meant to be an uplifting collection of stories, so the characters must overcome their illness to defeat whatever they’re up against. They don’t necessarily have to overcome their illness completely, but they must show that even when suffering from a mental illness, a person can still achieve great things.
Story particulars: We want stories that are 2,000 words or longer. All stories must be science fiction, and they must fit into the guidelines as outlined above.
What we’re paying: We will pay $5 per story for one time rights, and we will also pay two contributor copies. This is less than we would normally pay for an anthology, but half of all of the profits from this book will be going to the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention organization, which helps to battle teen suicide. We will consider reprints for this anthology.
Where to send your stories: All stories should be sent to editor (at) nomadicdeliriumpress (dot) com. The subject line should include “Disharmony submission.”
Response times: We will respond to all submissions within two months.
Other questions: If you have any other questions, please feel free to send them to the address above.
For those of you that are interested in submitting to our upcoming anthology, Disharmony of the Spheres, we've currently accepted just over 20,000 words of fiction. We're looking for a final length of 60,000-80,000 words, but you never know how quickly it might fill up, so please get your submissions in...
Disharmony of the Spheres will be a science fiction anthology in which the main character must be battling some type of mental illness. While we will consider stories where the character is dealing with an illness like schizophrenia or multiple personality disorder, what we really want to see is characters that are battling an illness like depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, PTSD, etc. This is meant to be an uplifting collection of stories, so the characters must overcome their illness to defeat whatever they’re up against. They don’t necessarily have to overcome their illness completely, but they must show that even when suffering from a mental illness, a person can still achieve great things.
Story particulars: We want stories that are 2,000 words or longer. All stories must be science fiction, and they must fit into the guidelines as outlined above.
What we’re paying: We will pay $5 per story for one time rights, and we will also pay two contributor copies. This is less than we would normally pay for an anthology, but half of all of the profits from this book will be going to the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention organization, which helps to battle teen suicide. We will consider reprints for this anthology.
Where to send your stories: All stories should be sent to editor (at) nomadicdeliriumpress (dot) com. The subject line should include “Disharmony submission.”
Response times: We will respond to all submissions within two months.
Other questions: If you have any other questions, please feel free to send them to the address above.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
