The Yo-Yo Effect...

[DDT (12)]

The Yo-Yo Effect…

Up and down, up and down… I may need to slightly alter that old religious hymn for use in my current lamentations… “Will the ‘cycle’… be unbroken…By and by, Lord, by and by…” I just hope I don’t have to wait until I get to that ‘better place awaiting’ before things finally settle down!

Hard to figure how those swings can be so wide-ranging and sharp. I feel fabulous on some days, almost ready to call an ambulance on others… OK, maybe not quite that extreme… I’m assuming major exaggerations are allowed in non-political posts too…

I’d felt so good last Tuesday, in fact, that I’d gone for a great day ride (170 miles) with my riding bud Bert. More than that, I'd felt ready to head out again and resume the coddiewomple in earnest. I wasn’t 100% yet, but it was such a marked improvement from recent reality, that it was easy to fantasize and project from there a straight upward movement in the trendline. I felt the same way the following day… However…

By Thursday I was back down in the doldrums again… Wondering if this stuff will ever end, or if all of this yo-yoing might possibly be the ‘new normal’… at least for the next several months. Throughout it all, I’ve still felt weaker than before: More so some days, it seems, than others, but not back to the old normal at all… Of course, those relatively brief but several times during each day hot flashes continue to make their unwanted visits.

What’s a body to do? Bert and I had agreed to do another ride today, but… I dunno… My daughter and SIL are coming tomorrow for a visit, and I surely don’t want to do anything that might screw that up. Even though this morning I feel like I could easily do a repeat of last Tuesday, I’m leaning towards not going for a much-desired ride.

This whole patience thing is proving to be far beyond an aspirational virtue… it seems to me it may be dang near an impossible pipedream! Still, at this point it has become obvious that getting from here to there will indeed require still more time… and lots more patience… Wish me luck…

DDT

[Valker]

I’m so happy for you having ups and sad for the downs. I wish for you more ups and fewer downs every week.

[bassman]

"those relatively brief but several times during each day hot flashes continue to make their unwanted visits."

Are you taking hormone shots (Eligard, Firmagon) as part of your treatment?   

[John Schmidt]

Bruce, even after the last shot it took a while to rid my body of those "wonderful" side effects. I was getting them every 90 days so after the last one it wasn't an immediate change...only gradual. Impatient? Can't say I was virtuous either, having much the same ups 'n downs as you. It's a slow process to be sure, our number of years on this blue marble doesn't make it any easier. Be encouraged...it does get better. I found it more gratifying to take advantage of the good periods and even on a down day I tried to get out and move about a little although I often had to force myself. It helped...especially in the mental spirit of things. 

[The emperor has no clothes]

You will be “walking the dog” in no time.

[DDT (12)]

I’m so happy for you having ups and sad for the downs. I wish for you more ups and fewer downs every week.

Eric,

Thanks a lot, my friend! I reckon you know I completely agree with that sentiment and share that wish!!!

DDT

"those relatively brief but several times during each day hot flashes continue to make their unwanted visits."

Are you taking hormone shots (Eligard, Firmagon) as part of your treatment?   

Bassman,

While I have heard a few hormones over the years, I'm not at all sure I've ever actually taken any... I have no recollection of any mention on that subject with this either... I'll keep an ear out, though... Thanks.

DDT

Bruce, even after the last shot it took a while to rid my body of those "wonderful" side effects. I was getting them every 90 days so after the last one it wasn't an immediate change...only gradual. Impatient? Can't say I was virtuous either, having much the same ups 'n downs as you. It's a slow process to be sure, our number of years on this blue marble doesn't make it any easier. Be encouraged...it does get better. I found it more gratifying to take advantage of the good periods and even on a down day I tried to get out and move about a little although I often had to force myself. It helped...especially in the mental spirit of things. 

John,

Among the many surprises during all of this has been just how vulnerable I am to emotional swings too. Things like stress, worry, encouragement, information confirming 'normalcy' all have had me up and down like a yo-yo too! It turns out I'm every bit as human as anybody else! I'm saying that to say that all of your comments have helped enormously in my being able to maintain some perspective and keep from climbing the walls sometimes... Thanks, my friend... I do appreciate ya!!!

DDT




Rob,

I surely hope so... Keep an eye out for me, good buddy... I'll most likely, however, be strutting the phatt lady instead of yanking on a string with a doo-dad on the end...

DDT