Please make a donation to the Aplastic Anemia and MDS International Foundation this holiday season.
It is important to weigh both the risks and the benefits of a bone marrow/stem cell transplant. A transplant doctor can answer your questions and help you decide if a transplant is an option for you.
Doctors will sometimes refer to certain treatments as supportive therapy or supportive care. They help you manage the symptoms of your disease, although they do not treat the underlying cause of the disease.
How long do I have to live?
This is most people’s first question, along with “what can I expect to happen.” The doctor’s answer is called a prognosis (an educated guess about the likely course of your disease and how long you might live). Because each person is unique, and each person’s disease is different, a prognosis can be difficult to make. Also, how a disease progresses over time is unpredictable, and less is known about rare diseases than common diseases.
Your body is fatigued from fighting a disease; you may be taking strong medication; your outlook on life has changed. For most people, it's natural for sex to take a backseat in these circumstances. Nevertheless, intimacy is a quality-of-life issue that patients can and should discuss with their doctors if it becomes a problem. It's wise for patients to be gentle with themselves and remember that there are many ways to express intimacy.
No one is prepared for the shock of learning they have a serious disease. But in the aftermath of diagnosis, patients can and do learn how to adjust to their condition. With helpful AAMDSIF resources, they can learn about their illness, build their own support system and connect with their peers. But before that happens, patients have to deal with a range of powerful emotions.
Ongoing fatigue is a major issue in the lives of most bone marrow failure patients. A variety of factors contribute to this condition, and it's important for patients to recognize that it should be reported to their doctors and not overlooked as an ordinary side effect. Learn more about fatigue and what you can do about it.
Everyone who regularly exercises reaps the advantage of a more efficient metabolism, which effectively improves both body and mind. No one can afford to get physically rusty, but when your body is already fighting disease, it needs to muster all the strength it can. This section will help you understand why and how you should address your physical needs, but always consult with your doctor first before embarking on any exercise routine.