Life hasn't been easy for Jamie-Lynn Sigler, but she's facing it head-on with grace and courage. While multiple sclerosis hasn't taken over her life yet, it has forced her to have some deeply emotional discussions with her family. In a heartfelt essay for Shondaland.com, the former The Sopranos star opened up about how she and her husband, Cutter Dykstra, are preparing for the challenges that may come their way due to the chronic illness she's battled for nearly two decades.

“It's heartbreaking, but I’ve had to sit down with my husband and talk about what we would do in the worst-case scenarios," Jamie-Lynn wrote. She shared a specific example: "If there ever was a mass shooting, you have to take the kids and run, and trust I will do my best to stay safe." The 37-year-old explained that her movement is limited due to MS, and just thinking about such situations still brings her to tears. "It's something that haunts me, but it's a reality we have to face," she added.

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I legit just called @sleepshopconsulting to find out when I can put these guys to bed 🤪. She helped me find jacks “sleep window” so I’m not putting him to bed for 2 hours each night and keeping my Big one waiting! I feel like Netflix and chill for mama is just around the corner again.
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A post shared by Jamie Lynn Sigler (@jamielynnsigler) on Apr 18, 2018 at 5:33pm PDT

MS Becomes a Family Affair

Jamie-Lynn, the proud mom of Beau Kyle Dykstra, 5, and Jack Adam Dykstra, 14 months, explained that having these tough conversations is crucial because chronic illnesses like MS don't just affect the individual but the entire family. “MS becomes everyone’s disease, not just mine. It affects our daily choices, and while there are days I resent that, it has also made me realize how resilient I truly am,” she wrote.

Despite the challenges, Jamie-Lynn has become an incredible mother, parenting two beautiful children with her husband. But years ago, the thought of having kids terrified her. "When I found out I was pregnant with my first son, Beau, six years ago, I was scared out of my mind," she recalled. "I had to consider how my MS would impact someone else. (I say this because my husband has always made me feel that this disease would never negatively affect us as a couple.) But with my son, his safety depended on me. His survival relied on my ability to care for him."

Carrying a Child Brings New Pressure

The Call Me: The Rise and Fall of Heidi Fleiss star revealed that her husband has always been supportive, assuring her that her condition wouldn't harm their relationship. However, carrying a child brought a new level of pressure for Jamie-Lynn. "A million thoughts raced through my mind. What if he runs off and I can’t chase him one day? What if I can’t carry him up and down the stairs? What if he doesn’t want to play with me because I can’t be the ‘fun mom’ who runs on the beach or chases him around the house?"

Cutter Dykstra, Actress Jamie Lynn Sigler, and son Beau arrive at Marvel Universe LIVE! Age Of Heroes World Premiere Celebrity Red Carpet Event — Getty Images

While there may come a day when Jamie-Lynn can't keep up with her active kids, she refuses to let that stop her from being present in their lives. "Each day isn't without its challenges, but I'm here for my boys and my husband, every single day," she wrote. Her strength and determination inspire all of us, and we’re sending her our love and support.