DUEL with the DEVIL
Viewing comments for Chapter 22 "DUEL with the DEVIL - Chapter 22"The problem of creating a non-addictive painkiller
19 total reviews
Comment from barbara.wilkey
I can see a problem building with the sex being used to help with the pain. It should be interesting to see where you take it from her. I can't wait to read more.
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2024
  |
I can see a problem building with the sex being used to help with the pain. It should be interesting to see where you take it from her. I can't wait to read more.
Comment Written 03-Aug-2024
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2024
-
Yes, the way in which sex provides a temporary cure for pain is significant, but it has the same potential for problems as opioids do and reinforces the idea that pleasure as a cure for pain really isn't a cure and tends to muck things up and confuse the issue. But that fact becomes quite relevant to Brian's eventual solution.
Comment from Pam Lonsdale
Okay, I can relate to the "level 6" because I've been there with my own herniated disc - and beyond! I've elected to have an ablation done, but that is nothing compared to what some go through.
I think you used NC State again before spelling it out. I know YOU know what that is, but I think you should spell it out in each new chapter.
Julia's family is all about the music, aren't they? Sounds like an addiction!
Skype sex - now there's an idea!
And off they go . . .
xo
Pam
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2024
|
Okay, I can relate to the "level 6" because I've been there with my own herniated disc - and beyond! I've elected to have an ablation done, but that is nothing compared to what some go through.
I think you used NC State again before spelling it out. I know YOU know what that is, but I think you should spell it out in each new chapter.
Julia's family is all about the music, aren't they? Sounds like an addiction!
Skype sex - now there's an idea!
And off they go . . .
xo
Pam
Comment Written 03-Aug-2024
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2024
-
Have you had that ablation yet, and was it successful? I too had a herniated disc at L1-L2 (unusual place for it) back in 2007 and had a microdiscectomy to remove a sequestered piece of it. It helped a lot, but it took some time to settle down, and the pain has never completely gone away, although it's in a different spot now. It's a chronic pain, but it's at a very bearable level 1-2 now. It often went to level 8 before and right after the surgery, and Vicodin was a savior for me. I took that for a good 3-4 months, up to about 5 pills a day, but it was surprisingly easy for me to taper off it. It never made me feel high either.
My back problems and somewhat non-addictive experience with opioids, plus my experience with some other minor addictions (like sweets) served as inspiration for this novel. I find it fascinating that some people are so sensitive to opioids and become easily addicted, yet that wasn't my experience with them. That becomes an important fact later when I get into effecting a new drug.
Later, I will also be discussing a spinal cord stimulator as therapy for a bad back. Something else to consider if that pain just won't go away.
-
I have not had the ablation done yet - scheduled for September. My physical therapist used a spinal chord stimulator a few times; never was sure if it did anything or not. Honestly, Advil has been the miracle drug for me, but everyone tells me I need to get off of it because of the damage it can do. I've cut it to 2 or 3 a day, but I'm in some mighty pain when I don't use it. I really can't complain - I'm a different person than I was 9 months ago, and I can do just about everything (sometimes with modifications).
I've read that sweets or more addictive than heroin. Thankfully, I've never had that problem.
Have a great weekend.
xo
-
I've used the external devices you can buy at the pharmacy, but I'm talking about the embedded ones put in place by an epidural needle. The battery pack goes under the skin in your butt!
I had to stop taking an nsaid called Etodolac because it was damaging my kidneys. I became stage 3B of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, since I stopped using them per my nephrologist, my kidney function has largely come back, and I no longer have to claim I've got CKD.
Good luck with the ablation in September. Let me know how it goes.
-
Thanks, Jim.
Comment from lancellot
This was well written and seemed like a transition chapter, like you mentioned, from one phase to another. But the reader still doesn't know where the tale is going, what's the end goal, current conflict or resolution to be had. Are we just following Brian's life, and if so, to what end?
Note:
She stood then, took my hand, and began leading me toward my bedroom.
-See, this line is what I was talking about.
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2024
|
This was well written and seemed like a transition chapter, like you mentioned, from one phase to another. But the reader still doesn't know where the tale is going, what's the end goal, current conflict or resolution to be had. Are we just following Brian's life, and if so, to what end?
Note:
She stood then, took my hand, and began leading me toward my bedroom.
-See, this line is what I was talking about.
Comment Written 03-Aug-2024
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2024
-
Yeah, but that was just her way of saying yes when he initiated it by suggesting it. She likes it as much as he does. Sex and the feelings generated during sex are very important in this story, and I really want to make it mutual between these two.
I interpret your questions as just wondering at this point rather than a criticism. I don't like to make it too obvious where it's going to be going because I think it's more interesting and thought-provoking when there are several possible routes, and it keeps the reader glued to the story. I do try to leave hints about the direction, such as the discussion about biochemistry as a possible major and the suggestion that he try solving the problem of pleasure and painkillers.
Yes, we are following Brian's life, but I'm trying not to turn it into a one-track direct route. I want him to have an interesting life, and a good story often has a number of interesting subplots.
On the other hand, I also don't want to turn it into a soap opera where things happen for no particular reason. There will be periods of calm-before-the-storm so to speak to give the reader a break from just non-stop crisis after crisis. During these times I hope to let him have a little fun but also make them at least somewhat relevant to the larger plot. What may seem like random events at this point will hopefully be tied together by the end of the book or will at least be symbolic.
Comment from Carol Hillebrenner
I hope Fran has found that special someone just like Brian has. Brian and Julie are really going to miss each other. They are going to have a hard time getting their schedules to match for those Skype calls. College is such an involved time of life.
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2024
|
I hope Fran has found that special someone just like Brian has. Brian and Julie are really going to miss each other. They are going to have a hard time getting their schedules to match for those Skype calls. College is such an involved time of life.
Comment Written 02-Aug-2024
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2024
-
Yes, it is, and it will be a challenge for them to maintain the relationship, but it can be done. I forget who I mentioned this to, so pardon the repetition if I already told you, but my son and his wife were high school sweethearts who survived 4 years apart during college and they've been married 15 years now.
Comment from Tom Horonzy
Too
Much sex on the mind is good for
Endorphins
Sadly mine don't register physically any longer and I have concluded the reason My sleep is active is it's a
Safe place
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2024
|
Too
Much sex on the mind is good for
Endorphins
Sadly mine don't register physically any longer and I have concluded the reason My sleep is active is it's a
Safe place
Comment Written 02-Aug-2024
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2024
-
My sleep, as well as my sex life, is almost non-existent these days, so at least you sleep! I do sleep better when not writing a novel, especially a steamy one. There will be some more steam, but nothing like the last chapter.
-
Well, at least Brian and Julia have a life, or is that lives.
Comment from Wendy G
This will become a very significant testing time for them both, but I see now how this leaning towards biochemistry will lead to his creation of a new drug to help with pain relief. An excellent chapter. Well written, as always.
Wendy
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2024
|
This will become a very significant testing time for them both, but I see now how this leaning towards biochemistry will lead to his creation of a new drug to help with pain relief. An excellent chapter. Well written, as always.
Wendy
Comment Written 02-Aug-2024
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2024
-
Thanks very much, Wendy. The direction is suggested now, but it will take what happens at the end of his freshman year and the summer between that and his sophomore year to become firmly established.
Comment from Neonewman
Brian's off to NC State a week earlier than Juia's school. This was a great chapter moving us forward with a lot of sex talk and plans to Skype sex. That will take up quite a bit of their time, lol. Fran's going to miss her six-foot-two little brother; I enjoyed the pun there.
Great job, my friend.
God bless,
Steve
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2024
|
Brian's off to NC State a week earlier than Juia's school. This was a great chapter moving us forward with a lot of sex talk and plans to Skype sex. That will take up quite a bit of their time, lol. Fran's going to miss her six-foot-two little brother; I enjoyed the pun there.
Great job, my friend.
God bless,
Steve
Comment Written 02-Aug-2024
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2024
-
Sex is actually pretty important in this story because it gives some real clues about how the body produces endorphins and dopamine and what their role is in pain relief and pleasure. It's important for Brian to understand these mechanisms to be able to create that drug that he will be creating. It's a good thing he's found a willing partner, if only he can keep her now during their 4-year separation. Skype should help!
-
Hopefully, Skype helps. But it's not the same as the real thing. I hope they don't cheat. But, I have a feeling they'll get through it.
Comment from royowen
That's what I was worrying about, many relationships have cooled because of extreme separation and never warmed again, they better get married, marital stability is the foundation of society, I've realised that by the covenantal agreement by God, Christ as the bridegroom, Christ is to His Church, at the moment, the betrothed is the church. Well done, blessings Roy
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2024
|
That's what I was worrying about, many relationships have cooled because of extreme separation and never warmed again, they better get married, marital stability is the foundation of society, I've realised that by the covenantal agreement by God, Christ as the bridegroom, Christ is to His Church, at the moment, the betrothed is the church. Well done, blessings Roy
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 02-Aug-2024
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2024
-
I agree with that about marriage, so we may see something along those lines during their college years.
Comment from Wayne Fowler
Skype sex might be illegal in some states. (smiley face here)
Nicely written.
I'm kind of set back by the lack of financial concerns on Brian's part. Was surgery free? No co-pay or percentage that was not covered by insurance? Is he not expected to contribute to home expenses? Pay for dating expenses? His own personal expenses? Car insurance and gasoline? I bring all that up because I recall my limited choices even with a job.
Best wishes.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2024
|
Skype sex might be illegal in some states. (smiley face here)
Nicely written.
I'm kind of set back by the lack of financial concerns on Brian's part. Was surgery free? No co-pay or percentage that was not covered by insurance? Is he not expected to contribute to home expenses? Pay for dating expenses? His own personal expenses? Car insurance and gasoline? I bring all that up because I recall my limited choices even with a job.
Best wishes.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 02-Aug-2024
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2024
-
I wonder which state takes precedence if it's legal in one participant's but not in the other's? :)
You sound like my wife when she reads or watches a show. She worries about little details too and is always telling me when something doesn't make sense to her. Me? I don't care if every i is dotted or t is crossed, just so long as a story isn't too outlandish. If there's at least a conceivable explanation that the author or screenwriter chooses not to go into, that's good enough for me. I tell her, "Hey, it's fiction. Who cares about that s__t?"
That being said, I'm sure Fran's health insurance probably covers Brian until age 26 like most health insurance, but in terms of co-pays, etc. I never gave it much thought. My own retiree health insurance is so good, that deductibles and co-pays are very minimal, and I don't have to worry about health expenses, but I confess to not having researched the program used by the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office for their employees.
Brian also does work that he's capable of like mowing lawns when not recuperating from surgery and tutoring, so he does earn some money. Plus there is some trust money, although most of what's left is for college. Whether all this is enough to cover all his financial needs, who knows? I've got other things to think about with this story, like inventing a drug that cures pain but doesn't produce pleasure while doing it. Still don't know if that's feasible, but I'll give it a shot.
-
super aspirin?
You must comply with the laws of the jurisdiction you are in.
Part of the problem here is FanStory. Reviewers sometimes feel compelled to nitpick in order to reach the required character count. But in my defense, you made Brian's income (lawnmowing and tutoring) part of the story. I just had trouble with the math. Maybe a line earlier that between Fran's ins and the med part of Brian's auto ins his medical bills were covered. Maybe he tutored someone to score well on the SAT and the parents gave him a very larger tip.
-
Yeah, that's probably good advice. I'll think of a good way to bring that up.
-
BTW, thanks for your remark about super aspirin. I hadn't considered that, although it seems like a logical route to go. I will have to do some research about how aspirin or any other nsaids actually work. Tylenol too which isn't an nsaid (but also doesn't work particularly well and causes liver problems when taken to excess).
I've been thinking about gene therapy and its potential. This all comes in Part 2, and I have a lot more research and thinking to do before I write that. To date, I've completed writing through chapter 34 which is the end of Part 1.
