My MS Journey: Chapter 3-When Everything Falls Apart at Once
Sometimes life doesn't just hand you one hard thing. It hands you several all at once, and dares you to keep going.
6/24/20262 min read
Disclaimer: I am sharing my personal 22-year journey with Multiple Sclerosis, including my experiences with managing a new diagnosis, treatments, and lifestyle stress. I am not a medical professional. This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
When the Ground Shifted Again
As I was still coming to terms with my diagnosis, something else happened that I didn’t see coming. My engagement ended.
I have to be honest about how much that hurt. I was already facing one of the hardest times in my life, trying to understand what MS meant for my body, my future, and my daily life. Now, the relationship I thought I was building my life around was gone too.
I told most of my family what happened. Everyone was surprised but supportive, that meant more than I can say. When everything is changing, having people by your side really matters. Even if they can’t fix things, just knowing they’re there helps you breathe a little easier.
All the plans I had made were suddenly gone. I had to figure out what to do next, and I had to do it by myself.
Not a Woe Is Me Kind of Person
There’s something you should know about me: I’m not someone who feels sorry for myself. I never have been.
Did I have every reason to be angry? Yes. Did I have every reason to fall apart? Probably. A new chronic illness, weekly injections I dreaded, a broken engagement, and an uncertain future are a lot for anyone.
But that’s not who I am. I didn’t walk around angry at the world. I didn’t shut down, and I didn’t let myself get bitter about something I couldn’t change. MS was my new normal. The broken engagement hurt, but it was over, and I still had a life to live. So I kept living.
Keeping Myself Moving
At that time, I worked two jobs: full-time at a title company and part-time at an insurance company. I kept myself busy on purpose. When life gets hard, I don’t sit still; I keep moving. Work gave me structure when everything else felt uncertain. It gave me somewhere to go, something to focus on, and a reason to get up every morning.
I didn’t have many flare-ups during this time, which was a small mercy. MS wasn’t knocking me down physically as I feared. But it was always there, in the back of my mind, even on good days. It quietly reminded me that my life had changed in ways I was still learning to accept.
Thinking About What Comes Next
After my engagement ended, I started thinking about practical things. Our lease was ending soon. I needed to figure out where I was going to live and how I would start over.
It's strange how a breakup can make you rethink your whole future at once. I had been planning a life with someone, and suddenly I was planning a life for just myself. I was starting over in ways I never expected, while also dealing with a diagnosis I never wanted. There was a lot on my mind, but what I want you to remember from this chapter is that I kept going. Not because it was easy or because I had all the answers, but because I quietly decided that this season wouldn’t define me. I had to choose it every day, one decision at a time, and I did.
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Disclaimer: The articles and content indexed on Peace Plates & Purpose represent personal experiences and educational resources regarding wellness, recipes, and living with Multiple Sclerosis. This platform does not provide professional medical, financial, or legal advice. Always consult a certified professional regarding your health or financial choices.