Living Beyond the Diagnosis

To my healthy friends,
I am just existing.
That’s what life feels like now. Not living, not thriving, just existing.
I wake up each day knowing that my time is slipping away, that my body is failing me bit by bit. Since April 2022, when I was diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), I’ve carried the weight of a timeline—five to seven years, they told me. And every day, that number shrinks.
Since then, over 10 million people have died in the US alone. Some suddenly, some slowly, some expected, some not. One day, my number will be added to that count. And one day, yours will too.

But here’s the thing: you still have a choice.

I don’t anymore. My future is set, and it is not long. But you? You still have time to do more than just exist. You have time to make your days count.

Do Something That Matters

Most of us coast through life thinking there’s always more time. More time to fix relationships, to chase dreams, to tell people we love them. But time isn’t guaranteed. If there’s something you’ve been putting off—a passion, a cause, a dream—start now.
Make a difference. Volunteer, create, help someone, speak up. It doesn’t have to be something big to change the world—it just has to mean something when you reach your own end date. Because trust me, when that day comes, you’ll want to know you lived, not just existed.

Love, Deeply and Without Reservation

Really hug your friends. Hug your children. Hug your parents. Hug your spouse like you won’t get another chance—because one day, you won’t.
I miss the feeling of effortless embraces. I miss the days when my arms didn’t struggle to hold someone close. You, right now, can hold someone fully, tightly, without effort. Do it while you still can.
Tell people you love them. Not in passing, not just because it’s expected. Say it like you mean it, like it’s the last time. Because one day, it will be.

Let Go of Hate—It’s a Weight You Don’t Want to Carry

I don’t have the energy to hate. I don’t have the time. And even if I did, what’s the point? Hate has no redeeming value. It doesn’t make you stronger. It doesn’t make you better. It only takes from you—your peace, your time, your joy.
I’ve seen people carry grudges to the grave, and I promise you, they don’t bring comfort in the end. Let it go. Love is lighter.

Make Today Matter

I don’t know how many days I have left. I don’t know if I’ll see another summer, another holiday, another birthday. But you will.
So don’t waste today. Don’t let it blur into the next. Make a memory. Say something that matters. Be kind. Take the risk. Do something today that you will be proud of when your time comes.

Because one day, it will.

And I hope, when it does, you won’t just be existing.
You’ll have truly lived.

~Coach~