First 30 Days After Diagnosis, Chapter 9: Planning the Next 3 Months
Looking Ahead
Review your first month, then pick where to go next, at your own pace.
Finish your first month feeling more confident, with one clear next step.
You have learned the basics of your first month. Habits grow week by week. Pick one small habit and practice it for a week. Then add another.
Some days will feel easy and others will feel harder. Both kinds are normal. A harder day does not mean you have failed.
A staircase of four steps labelled Week 1, Week 2, Week 3 and Week 4, with a flag on top. One small habit: a person stands on Week 1. Week by week: the person climbs one step at a time to the top, each step turning green, and the flag turns green. A harder day: on Week 2 a grey rain cloud hangs over the person, who leans and waits. The green steps below stay green, the cloud passes and the person steps up to Week 3.
Your next visit is a chance to use this month. Your blood pressure and weight are checked. Your self-care plan and medicines are reviewed.
Write your questions down as they come up. Bring them, with your check calendar, and ask your doctor anything that is unclear.
Notice which topic comes up most often in your days. When you are ready, pick your next course: food, numbers or daily routines.
A course is a short set of lessons, like this one. Take your time. Choose the one that feels most useful right now.
Need cards such as my readings confuse me sort into the next course that fits: food, numbers or daily routines.
Key takeaways
- Your first month gave you a solid base to build on.
- Habits grow week by week, and one harder day does not undo them.
- Your next course can cover food, numbers or daily routines.
Try it
Write down whether food, numbers or daily routines would help you most. Keep the note where you will see it today.