I realize it's been several weeks since my last update. I just wanted to let you all know where I've been and what's going on.
Over the past few months I experienced an ever-increasing pain in my hands and fingers. I was already told that I have some arthritis in my fingers. The pain, however, was becoming unbearable. Another visit to my rheumatologist and I was diagnosed with Dupuytren's contracture. According to the Mayo Clinic:
Using a controller became VERY painful and exacerbated the situation. I therefore decided to limit my gaming time in order to give my hands a break. That's why you haven't seen me online as much lately. I recently started a new course of medication that is helping tremendously with the pain. I am hopeful that I will be able to resume gaming. I doubt, however, that I will be able to devote as much time to it as I did previously.
I've been spending my time away from consoles pondering my gaming priorities. In the past, my gaming priorities included:
After much thought, I decided my focus will be on the first and last options above. I'm faced with having to limit my gaming time due to the hand I've been dealt (see what I did there?).
I thoroughly enjoy gaming with this group. Whether we're boosting or playing co-op, I almost always have a lot of fun. Heck, @mrtnmitchell and @Kbeau73 even made boosting Far Cry 2 fun. I will continue to play along on game nights. I've forged some awesome friendships in this group.
I have several games in my collection I bought because they looked like a lot of fun or I'm a big fan of the series. I decided that, on those nights that I can play when I'm not gaming with you all, I will focus on having fun. It will take a bit of changing my mindset. My natural proclivity is to chase down the achievements and completion percentages. Realistically, I will unlikely get through my backlog before this disease prevents me from gaming altogether. So, I'm going to have fun gaming until I no longer can.
So you probably won't see statistics any longer in this blog. You will, however, see what games I'm playing and how much fun I'm having playing them.
Currently, I'm playing three games:
Happy gaming y'all!
Over the past few months I experienced an ever-increasing pain in my hands and fingers. I was already told that I have some arthritis in my fingers. The pain, however, was becoming unbearable. Another visit to my rheumatologist and I was diagnosed with Dupuytren's contracture. According to the Mayo Clinic:
Dupuytren's (du-pwe-TRANZ) contracture is a hand deformity that usually develops over years. The condition affects a layer of tissue that lies under the skin of your palm. Knots of tissue form under the skin — eventually creating a thick cord that can pull one or more fingers into a bent position.
The affected fingers can't be straightened completely, which can complicate everyday activities such as placing your hands in your pockets, putting on gloves or shaking hands.
Using a controller became VERY painful and exacerbated the situation. I therefore decided to limit my gaming time in order to give my hands a break. That's why you haven't seen me online as much lately. I recently started a new course of medication that is helping tremendously with the pain. I am hopeful that I will be able to resume gaming. I doubt, however, that I will be able to devote as much time to it as I did previously.
I've been spending my time away from consoles pondering my gaming priorities. In the past, my gaming priorities included:
- Gaming with friends by boosting or in co-op gameplay
- Unlocking achievements
- Completing games
- Playing a game simply because I found it interesting and fun
After much thought, I decided my focus will be on the first and last options above. I'm faced with having to limit my gaming time due to the hand I've been dealt (see what I did there?).
I thoroughly enjoy gaming with this group. Whether we're boosting or playing co-op, I almost always have a lot of fun. Heck, @mrtnmitchell and @Kbeau73 even made boosting Far Cry 2 fun. I will continue to play along on game nights. I've forged some awesome friendships in this group.
I have several games in my collection I bought because they looked like a lot of fun or I'm a big fan of the series. I decided that, on those nights that I can play when I'm not gaming with you all, I will focus on having fun. It will take a bit of changing my mindset. My natural proclivity is to chase down the achievements and completion percentages. Realistically, I will unlikely get through my backlog before this disease prevents me from gaming altogether. So, I'm going to have fun gaming until I no longer can.
So you probably won't see statistics any longer in this blog. You will, however, see what games I'm playing and how much fun I'm having playing them.
Currently, I'm playing three games:
- Gears of War 2 - I'm chasing down the Seriously achievement in this game. I know, I know . . . I said I wasn't chasing achievements any longer. This is a goal I set a few months ago. I spend about an hour each week killing enemies hoping to unlock the achievement by the end of September. I hope to continue this goal.
- Burnout Paradise - I am having a blast playing this game with the group. I sometimes feel like a pinball. Lots of fun!
- Borderlands: The Pre Sequel (Xbox 360) - I started this game a month or so ago. I really enjoy the Borderlands series. I am currently level 33 and playing through the campaign again in True Vault Hunter Mode. It is challenging and fun.
Happy gaming y'all!
oh the things we do for fun. Good luck with the new Meds, don't forget to take them as scheduled (yeah I worked for years in hospital pharmacy 
). Hope to see you soon....maybe minecrafting 
