Comment from Karen Cherry Threadgill

Exceptional

I was on the stuff for a lot of years. I had 4 back surgeries. None real successful. They still want to do more but, why bother? I have more pain than before. I gave up Rx drugs because they wanted to put me on a morphine drip at the time. My brain wasn't addicted but my body sure screamed for a while. Have a good week. Karen

 Comment Written 08-Jul-2024

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reply by the author on 08-Jul-2024

Have you ever tried a surgically-implanted electronic stimulus device for the pain? I guess they are successful for some people.

Thanks so much for the 6 stars, Karen.

reply by Karen Cherry Threadgill on 08-Jul-2024

I couldn't stand the vibrations and the internal buzz. I have bone, muscle and nerve damage. What works for one may not work for another. The only thing that worked for me was a blocking shot into my spine. They cost $2000 or more bucks a pop. They are supposed to last six months. I had a wonderful 3 weeks. I didn't need pain pills or spasm pills, or nerve pills. But I could only have two a year. And then they determined they were not a success so no more were offered. I was sent to a psych guy who told them I was a marvel of lucid thought and behavior.I wrote it down! I found ways to cope. I am stubborn and rarely give up. You can tell by my divorces that sometimes I have to concede. I did all I could think of and it still did not work. But , I put in 13 years, 3 1/2 years, 9 years and 25 years. I do not give up easily. The 3 1/2 and 25 years was the same guy. So. we do the best we can and move forward. We learn. :-)

reply by the author on 09-Jul-2024

I'm sorry to hear that internal stimulation device wasn't right for you. I'm going to have Brian try that device later in the story, and I can use that as a reason for why it wasn't working for him either.

reply by Karen Cherry Threadgill on 09-Jul-2024

They would have him use the outside TMS unit first. God did I really hate that. My Dad loved his. Thyen if ftr six months it is still woking good they would insert an internal one.Just so you know. They also tried hanging me upside down. My back appreciated it, but I got migraines. They won. No more hanging around. Just so you know. :-)

Comment from Pearl Edwards

Excellent

Brian is certainly an enterprising youth, when the need is there so is the incentive.But, I'm more in Fran's thinking, a bit of regular excercies, my case tai chi, is good for you. A good read, Jim,
cheers,
valda

 Comment Written 05-Jul-2024

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reply by the author on 05-Jul-2024

Yes, Fran (and you) have found a much healthier way of maintaining health and happiness than what Brian has resorted to. Hopefully he will learn how destructive his way is.

Comment from lancellot

Excellent

Very interesting. It is a good chapter and tells the readers how he slipped back into the Oxy habit, and he tells us how much better it made him feel. Supply and demand at work. I do recommend showing a bit more than just him telling us. But that would make the chapter longer.

 Comment Written 04-Jul-2024

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reply by the author on 04-Jul-2024

Thanks, Lance. I'm not sure how much of a high he's feeling at this point. He may be taking just enough to ease the pain. I've never had Oxy, so I just don't know. I was on Vicodin, which isn't as strong, for 3 or 4 months following back surgery for a herniated disc some years ago. I never felt high from it, though others do. It just eased the pain. However, had I taken a stronger dose, it probably would have made me feel high. Everyone is different. This will indeed be a factor later in the story when he invents his own opioid.

There will be some showing of the effects in the next chapter where things come to a head. I hope you'll keep reading.

Comment from LJbutterfly

Excellent

Brian is a teenager, and like a lot of teens, many of his decisions are not the best. Lying to his sister and purchasing drugs from a drug dealer is leading him down a path of ultimate regret. I wish he could change his faulty thinking before he does damage to himself.

 Comment Written 01-Jul-2024

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reply by the author on 02-Jul-2024

Their brains are not fully developed yet and their decisions are indeed poor at that age. Couple that with an addiction to drugs, and it's a recipe for disaster. Things will get pretty bad before they get good again.

Comment from Dolly'sPoems

Excellent

This guy has found a neat way of making a few quid, but his addiction to Oxy is a bit worrying and his refusal to get too involved with exercise might hold him back too. It must be awful to need such rehabilitation when you are so young. Another fine chapter Jim, love Dolly x

 Comment Written 01-Jul-2024

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reply by the author on 01-Jul-2024

Thanks, Dolly. Brian is certainly headed down the wrong path at this time. It won't always be this way, though, as there will be a series of ups and downs in his life.

Comment from Carol Hillebrenner

Excellent

Such a shame that he is so dependent on Oxy. I had to fight that need off when I split my upper arm bone and managed to not get a third prescription, although my nurse practitioner actually tried to make me take them (and I decided she was an addict to them herself). You have described the need very well. I am a bit surprised he is not feeling any guilt about helping people cheat on schoolwork, but once he's getting the oxy again, feeling guilty drifts away with the pain.

 Comment Written 30-Jun-2024

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reply by the author on 01-Jul-2024

Yes, you nailed it with your last remark. The Oxy becomes all-important to many, to the exclusion of everything else, even one's morals.

Comment from jmdg1954

Excellent

Oh boy... I can see Brian quickly going down that dead end road... illegal income to drugs, to dealing for more income to more drugs... not a good avenue.

Nicely written chapter keeping me (hopefully all readers) engaged in the story.

Well done.
John

 Comment Written 30-Jun-2024

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reply by the author on 01-Jul-2024

Thanks, John. It won't all be bad. His life for a while will be a series of ups and downs as he learns to cope with his addiction. He will need and get help eventually, but he has to sink pretty low first. We're not quite at bottom yet, but coming soon.

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

This shows us how quickly one can slip down the wrong road just by making those compromises to integrity - first writing papers for others thereby allowing kids to cheat, and then the outright buying drugs off of a known dealer. Hope Fran figures it out soon!

 Comment Written 30-Jun-2024

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reply by the author on 01-Jul-2024

Absolutely right. Drugs like Oxy become the be-all and end-all and guide your thought and actions to the exclusion of your morals and decency. Brian definitely will need help to overcome his addiction.

Comment from T B Botts

Excellent

Good Grief Jim!
Is this kid stupid or what? First he wants to do papers for all the kids who can't get a decent grade, and then he gets hooked on Oxy. I'm cringing as I read this. He's had a few hard knocks in life, but he seems to be setting himself up for more, and having a sister who is a cop is really going to put a wrench in things. Well done.
Have a blessed day.
Tom

 Comment Written 30-Jun-2024

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reply by the author on 01-Jul-2024

Stupid is a good word for it. The desire for Oxy has overpowered his reasoning and sense of morality, which is what is so destructive about drugs. He's not quite at the bottom yet before he realizes he needs help, but it's coming soon.

Comment from Pam Lonsdale

Excellent

Your writing about PT and the need for it even when you feel it isn't working . . . been there! I had 25 sessions and continue to do mine twice a week along with regular lap swimming. It takes time, but if you put the effort in, it works. Very real and relatable, Jim.

"I could get in trouble for this." LOL! I think we know where this is going.

Fran's comment about sitting being worse for the back and that you have to keep moving; sadly, I have found that I can't sit as long as I used to when I write. I set a timer for 30 minutes and get up to do laundry or some other mundane thing to keep going. Sounds like you know what you're talking about.

Oxy has ruined a lot of people's lives, and I wonder if that will turn out to be the theme of this book.

Jim, I'll be leaving FS after my next post - for a while, to do some traveling and then to work with an editor on putting my first book together. I will continue to do SOME reviewing, and your book will be one of the things I read.

I also want to escape the recent drama. I thought I had, then I received a PM yesterday from someone I don't know that well asking me to intervene in a situation she's in. I told her to just move on, as I have. I need to go away and focus on my project.

I look forward to continuing to read about Brian, and I'm rooting for him.

Have a great week:-)

xo
Pam

 Comment Written 30-Jun-2024

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reply by the author on 30-Jun-2024

Oh, say it ain't so, Pam! I hope this will be just a sabbatical for you and not something permanent. I, for one, will surely miss you here.

Addiction to Oxy is only part of the theme. The greater theme will be Brian's attempt to separate the pain relief from the pleasure that opioids have the potential to give. I seem to have a thing about inventors, as most of my books feature inventions, and this one is no exception.

I wish you the best of luck with your book project and hope you find success with it. I'm sure it will be good. And please, come back to us someday!

reply by Pam Lonsdale on 30-Jun-2024

Thank you, Jim. I'm not gone yet, and I will still be reviewing this particular book.