Okay, you hear the word that a disease is present. You then do all your research by searching the Internet to learn what it is, if there are any treatments, the symptoms, or anything you can do to help make life easier for the patient.

You read the doctor's report and look up each word to understand the diagnosis.

In your head, you begin to think about the future. What do you need to do to your finances and home life to address the challenges around the corner?

What if something happens to you? Who will help the patient with care and quality and quantity of life?

All this planning happened within 24 hours; you even emailed his brother about what had happened and explained the disease.

Then for the first time in a telephone conversation, you tell your brother of your husband's diagnosis, and for the first time, you hear from your lips the word Huntington's disease; you break down crying, unable to talk and discuss it further.