Ongoing suckiness

Things continue to struggle in this market and it looks like it might not turn for the better until after Thanksgiving.

I'm planning to wait until things bottom out again (like they did in early September) before I put money back in this market.

I'll have to admit--I really don't understand options. I've got a couple that made it through the carnage. Today the stock that my option contract follows lost 2.33% but the option gained 24.56%. I'll take it, but it confuses me.