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⚠️ Medical Disclosure - Support Needed ⚠️
2 months ago
Medical Timeline:
Mid-March Wisconsin got its last snow dump of the year. Woke up early in the morning and shoveled it. It was wet and heavy and I didn't think to warm up before shoveling.
Ended up straining my lower back. Lasted a good couple of months, never went to the doctor for it. American medical care/bills naturally kept me away. Figured I'd self treat. The back eventually did get better but it never fully went away. It did affect my work output (I tried my best to keep up with twice monthly releases regardless) as it was uncomfortable to sit for long periods of time. I have a very good chair that normally isn't a problem.
Then at the start of July, I started to notice that getting up out of the chair caused a minor spasm in the left buttocks/upper hamstring area. I thought it just needed more stretching. I tried a variety of things. Again, self treating. But it got worse and worse until the spasms cause me to freeze in place until it works its way out. This time severely limiting my sit time and pain that began disrupted my sleep. Finally went to see the doctor on the 2nd of August and they said it's likely a nerve impingement and recommended a physical therapist, a week of steroids, and rest. I ordered a standing desk to try to offset sitting time and it helped some. Naturally, I continued working, successfully putting out Dino Control on the 15th. However, the pain had escalated where I just couldn't be at the computer very long even standing and ended up constantly exhausted and mentally disfigured due to the pain and lack of sleep.
Four physical therapist appointments and now a checkup today. I have good days and some very bad days. My doctor says I should have made more progress. Even with doing the activities I did, it shouldn't hurt this much still. I'm now scheduled for an MRI this Friday. Something I had been avoiding for cost reasons. With an MRI, they hope to see the issue more directly and administer localized injections. Definitely not looking forward to that...
I need your continued support please
I'm asking for your continued support and understanding while requesting time off. Patreon/Buck Club is my only income source. I do not work another job. It's the reason that I persisted and continued making content despite the medical issues that I thought would pass. I have been providing content to all of you for nearly 8 years now with over 55 unique animations. For the most part, maintaining a consistent release schedule and striving to improve and grow. Since March, with my reduced work time, I know my animations have dipped in quality, at least that's how I feel, and as such my subscriber support has slowly decreased. Now, I don't know if it's because of the decline in animation quality or if it's the pressures of the economy or the rise of AI content, but it is now at a threshold. I cannot allow it to drop any lower else I can't afford my bills. But I also cannot work. I tried so hard to keep up with it but I really can't.
I'm asking for a month off. - I can't afford to pause Patreon or Buck Club, again, it's my only source of income. Unfortunately, I don't get PTO. I don't qualify for unemployment. I don't have the normal avenues someone does with normal employment.
I'm asking my subscribers to remain subscribed through the month of September. And if you're not subscribed and have enjoyed my content, I would be incredibly gracious for your support during this time. I generally have not asked for this kind of support. I'd rather do a YCH or auction but I simply cannot work and thus those are not options this time.
Final thoughts
I wish no one has to ever go through the kind of pain I endure just getting up from a chair. It's no fun. I hope you will forgive my lack of posts this month and hopefully with the focused rest and recovery, I can get back to sit-shape and continue making content for the community. I am really excited about the game I want to do as well as making progress on Prey Pill (which will be imported into Unreal as a learning opportunity for game design) as well as moving forward with a big YCH opportunity with The Post Party (probably just called The Party). At the very least, I can binge watch tutorials in the meantime.
I thank you for your understanding and support as I get through this month. I wouldn't have accomplished as much as I have thus far without you guys.
Cheers,
Spruce.
Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/c/sprucemoki
Buck Club - https://sprucemoki.com/buck-club-plans/
Mid-March Wisconsin got its last snow dump of the year. Woke up early in the morning and shoveled it. It was wet and heavy and I didn't think to warm up before shoveling.
Ended up straining my lower back. Lasted a good couple of months, never went to the doctor for it. American medical care/bills naturally kept me away. Figured I'd self treat. The back eventually did get better but it never fully went away. It did affect my work output (I tried my best to keep up with twice monthly releases regardless) as it was uncomfortable to sit for long periods of time. I have a very good chair that normally isn't a problem.
Then at the start of July, I started to notice that getting up out of the chair caused a minor spasm in the left buttocks/upper hamstring area. I thought it just needed more stretching. I tried a variety of things. Again, self treating. But it got worse and worse until the spasms cause me to freeze in place until it works its way out. This time severely limiting my sit time and pain that began disrupted my sleep. Finally went to see the doctor on the 2nd of August and they said it's likely a nerve impingement and recommended a physical therapist, a week of steroids, and rest. I ordered a standing desk to try to offset sitting time and it helped some. Naturally, I continued working, successfully putting out Dino Control on the 15th. However, the pain had escalated where I just couldn't be at the computer very long even standing and ended up constantly exhausted and mentally disfigured due to the pain and lack of sleep.
Four physical therapist appointments and now a checkup today. I have good days and some very bad days. My doctor says I should have made more progress. Even with doing the activities I did, it shouldn't hurt this much still. I'm now scheduled for an MRI this Friday. Something I had been avoiding for cost reasons. With an MRI, they hope to see the issue more directly and administer localized injections. Definitely not looking forward to that...
I need your continued support please
I'm asking for your continued support and understanding while requesting time off. Patreon/Buck Club is my only income source. I do not work another job. It's the reason that I persisted and continued making content despite the medical issues that I thought would pass. I have been providing content to all of you for nearly 8 years now with over 55 unique animations. For the most part, maintaining a consistent release schedule and striving to improve and grow. Since March, with my reduced work time, I know my animations have dipped in quality, at least that's how I feel, and as such my subscriber support has slowly decreased. Now, I don't know if it's because of the decline in animation quality or if it's the pressures of the economy or the rise of AI content, but it is now at a threshold. I cannot allow it to drop any lower else I can't afford my bills. But I also cannot work. I tried so hard to keep up with it but I really can't.
I'm asking for a month off. - I can't afford to pause Patreon or Buck Club, again, it's my only source of income. Unfortunately, I don't get PTO. I don't qualify for unemployment. I don't have the normal avenues someone does with normal employment.
I'm asking my subscribers to remain subscribed through the month of September. And if you're not subscribed and have enjoyed my content, I would be incredibly gracious for your support during this time. I generally have not asked for this kind of support. I'd rather do a YCH or auction but I simply cannot work and thus those are not options this time.
Final thoughts
I wish no one has to ever go through the kind of pain I endure just getting up from a chair. It's no fun. I hope you will forgive my lack of posts this month and hopefully with the focused rest and recovery, I can get back to sit-shape and continue making content for the community. I am really excited about the game I want to do as well as making progress on Prey Pill (which will be imported into Unreal as a learning opportunity for game design) as well as moving forward with a big YCH opportunity with The Post Party (probably just called The Party). At the very least, I can binge watch tutorials in the meantime.
I thank you for your understanding and support as I get through this month. I wouldn't have accomplished as much as I have thus far without you guys.
Cheers,
Spruce.
Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/c/sprucemoki
Buck Club - https://sprucemoki.com/buck-club-plans/
Please take all the time you need to rest!
*Orca Pillow Hug*
Godspeed you magnificent bastard!
I worry that Patreon might demand some sort of update, so you may have to deal with that, but I don't mind waiting.
And yeah, I'm planning to do a mid-month update everywhere so people know what's going on with me.
I'm already planning to sign up for the gym after I get better so this doesn't happen again. Things gotta change!