Remission

In the beginning years, it seemed like the pain would peak and then fall back down over anywhere from a couple of weeks to a month.  The pain would subside for a while; a month or a few months.
Then it would come back.
We never knew what it would be like when it came back. 
Sometimes it would be severe right away while other times it might take longer to peak.

Remission was nice. 

As the years went on, the remission was shorter.  The pain came back quicker.

Until, finally, there weren't any more remissions.

The pain was constant... with no relief....for four or five years.