Comment from tfawcus

Excellent

We appear to be on the home stretch now with everything coming together nicely. There's still time for a stumble before the finishing post, but I've got my money on a clear run home. Incidentally, I enjoy the humorous byplay from time to time. Enough to lighten the atmosphere without becoming facetious.

 Comment Written 15-Oct-2024

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reply by the author on 16-Oct-2024

I really appreciate that comment about the humorous byplay interspersed among the more serious parts. It's a balancing act to get the right amount without becoming facetious, as you say.

Yep, should be a pretty straight path to the finish now. The epilogue may be a bit of a surprise, though. (Good sequel material.)

Comment from Rachelle Allen

Excellent

The non-science girl in me is struggling to get through these very important explanation-of-the-methodolgy segments. You could say ANYTHING here, and I just would have no way of knowing what was and wasn't accurate. Since I know you and your exacting ways, I know THAT WAY that it's accurate. But if I were just some non-science girl reading this, I know I would skim through it. I do, however, know it's crucial to the authenticity of the storyline. It's nothing you've done "wrong," certainly. It's all on me and my level of comprehension/education in that area. (read: nil)

 Comment Written 09-Oct-2024

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reply by the author on 09-Oct-2024

That's perfectly fine. It's not crucial that it be understood. It's there for those who do and like this kind of thing. Hopefully, there hasn't been too much of it to turn many readers off of the story.

It reminds me of the Bob Lee Swagger books by Stephen Hunter who is a real gun nut. He has many detailed descriptions of firearms that don't interest me, and I just skim through those. It isn't too much of it that I can't stand reading the stories which are terrific otherwise. You don't lose anything by skimming through the parts that don't interest you. It only becomes a problem if there are just too many. That's my feeling anyway.

As you said, the purpose was to give the story some authenticity. Whether or not it would really work, I don't know, but all the component processes are accurate as best I could determine.

reply by Rachelle Allen on 09-Oct-2024

Exactly. I totally agree with you.

Comment from Gayla putnam

Excellent

I'm a little behind on this story since this chapter is the first one I've read. I found it very intriguing, but that may be my medical background. The characters seemed genuine, and I settled into the plot quickly. It left me wanting to discover if Brian could develop the drug and anxious for the concluding chapters. The dialogue was believable, and who doesn't like a story with a cat? I await the next chapter. gayla

 Comment Written 08-Oct-2024

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reply by the author on 08-Oct-2024

Thanks very much, Gayla. Better late than never, and I'm so glad you found it even if there are only two more chapters. Most likely I'll be writing a sequel to this story, so you'll get to know some of the characters better there if you decide to follow it.

If you read just the chapter before this one, you'll see what an important role the kitten played in this story. It's kind of a fun chapter where you will also hear a little more of the science involved.

I don't have a medical or any kind of scientific background, so this has been great fun for me to research everything that went into finding a substitute for addicting painkillers. I'm hoping real researchers are working on this.

Comment from Pearl Edwards

Excellent

A good conversational chapter between these two scientists Jim as Brian gets down to the final stages of his new drugs. Hopefully testing without brain surgery.
Not far to go now.
Cheers
Valda

 Comment Written 08-Oct-2024

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reply by the author on 08-Oct-2024

Thanks, Valda. A lot of ground to cover still in the final two chapters. I'll be sad when this one's over because I've really enjoyed telling this story. But, most likely there will be a sequel.

Comment from Debbie D'Arcy

Exceptional

I had to wait until today to collect my next batch of sixes! What I'm wondering, Jim, is - does the pharmaceutical world know about you? Because, if not, they'll be stealing all your research!! This is another excellent and very informative chapter, clearly explained so that, even the non-scientific among us, can understand and enjoy. I'd been expecting the genetic link so it'll be interesting to see how this develops. Loved the little touch of philology too. Great job all round! Looking forward to reading more. Debbie

 Comment Written 06-Oct-2024

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reply by the author on 06-Oct-2024

If it actually would work, I hope they do steal it!

I just finished preparing the last two chapters for posting on Wednesday and Sunday, and I'm a little sad now. I've really enjoyed writing and presenting this story and will miss it. It's been wonderful readers such as yourself, Debbie, who have made it so rewarding for me. Thanks very much for your review and the 6 stars too.

Although there are only two chapters to go, I can almost promise my next novel will be a sequel to this one. I've already started thinking about it.

reply by Debbie D'Arcy on 06-Oct-2024

Wow, you could well be in demand. It's been a great read, Jim, and I'm delighted there will be more to come:)

Comment from jmdg1954

Excellent

Hey Jim. This was certainly a relevant chapter in the story with no real action so to speak. Brian had to bring Paul back into the story.

There's a lot to wrap up in only two remaining chspters. It's been a good ride.

 Comment Written 05-Oct-2024

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reply by the author on 06-Oct-2024

Thanks very much, John. I'll be bringing a few of the other characters back in too before the end. Like you say, there's a lot to wrap up.

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

Another great chapter with more input from a wise mentor. Of course, his old professor would know about the Greek used in chemical names and anatomy. That's great that Brian is on the right track. I wonder how this would affect someone not affected by opioids. Me, it just makes me nauseous so I don't take it. And the last time I had a colonoscopy, I talked the doctor out of using the midazolam hcl which is only to cause amnesia!

 Comment Written 05-Oct-2024

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reply by the author on 06-Oct-2024

My wife is the same way. Can't take opioids because of the nausea.

I'm guessing Glyptophan would work fine because it uses the sodium channel blocking mechanism of Dipraxa, and the gene manipulation aspect probably wouldn't make any difference. But who knows? Maybe in those people, it would cause some undesirable side effect. That's what those testing phases are all about.

Comment from Carol Hillebrenner

Excellent

Another good chapter with discussions that the non-chemist can understand. At least you fooled me if those aren't real chemical names. Isn't Brian out of dipraxa by now? Or has he made more and is rigorously sticking to the correct amount to take?

 Comment Written 05-Oct-2024

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reply by the author on 05-Oct-2024

Thanks very much, Carol. He's made some more by now to keep him out of pain while developing his modified drug, but he probably gave it to Julia to dole out the right amount to him.

Thanks for letting me know it was understandable too.

Comment from Pam Lonsdale

Excellent

I should call her Naughty-a (?)

Moxiflaxacin is a real name? That sounds like a strong laxative to me, lol!

I'm happy to see the return of Paul Rieke. I've enjoyed all of your characters in this story - even Julia's mother played a part - and it's good to see their return.

I think I can be certain that Jules is "here to stay" and Brian has finally learned his lesson on addiction. Now, we just need to figure out the drug Brian has dedicated his young life to.

Look forward to the last two - but it's a little sad:-(

xo
Pam

 Comment Written 05-Oct-2024

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reply by the author on 05-Oct-2024

Naughtya instead of Nadia. Maybe I don't need the dash.

No, moxiflaxacin is a typo. It's actually moxifloxacin. Sorry about that.

I'm so glad you've enjoyed this story, Pam. I'm pretty sure I'll be starting on a sequel in a little while, so we'll see some of these characters again as well as a few old favorites from my other novels.

Comment from T B Botts

Excellent

Hello Jim,
this is another very interesting chapter. You must do a tremendous amount of research to come up with such convincing scientific terms and scenarios. This has been a fun read. I'm glad I came along for the ride.
Have a blessed day.
Tom

 Comment Written 05-Oct-2024

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reply by the author on 05-Oct-2024

I did do quite a bit of research, but I enjoyed every minute of it. The more I got into it, the more interesting it became to me, and I'm so glad I could transfer the interest and enjoyment to readers like yourself, Tom.