can I read up more about this so it doesn't take me by surprise?
We have some available publications: Disability Benefits,  What You Need To Know When You Get Social Security Disability Benefits and How We Decide if You Still Have a Qualifying Disability
how do I know if I'm improving without really working and If I work do I lose benefits?
A lot of people would rather work than live on disability benefits. There are special rules that help you keep your cash benefits and Medicare while you test your ability to work, so you don't have to worry about losing benefits .