Along with healthy grieving, coming up with a proactive plan for your life is another important step. Part of your plan should be targeting a disease-modifying therapy with your neurologist, deciding whom you want to share your news with, devising a plan for healthy living, and breaking down the bigger tasks — such as insurance issues or family roles — into manageable steps. Here are some tasks to consider:

Check In

Make another appointment with your neurologist. It's very likely that your last appointment with her was a blur, especially if you were diagnosed during the appointment. Since then, you've probably composed a list of questions and concerns that you'd like to address. If you haven't been prescribed a DMT, this would be a good time to do so.

Make Decisions

Decide whom you'd like to share your news with, whether it's your spouse or others you are close to. It isn't imperative right now to tell your employer or acquaintances.

Take Care

Try to incorporate a healthy diet and exercise into your life. Along with the obvious benefits, it will give you a sense of control and empowerment.

Do Some Research

Log on to www.nationalmssociety.org to find your local chapter of the National MS Society. Knowledge is power! It also decreases fear. The NMSS is an important resource for helping you to understand and cope with the disease. It can also provide information regarding insurance, social security, and other practical matters.

Find Support

Create a support network composed of family, friends, and health care professionals. While those closest to you can be counted on to help you sort through your feelings and manage the home front, health care professionals can guide you in making important decisions about your treatment and care. Some of the key players are your neurologist, rehabilitation professionals, and mental health counselors. Support groups can also be helpful (more on the support team in Chapter 19).