Your blood cells are made in your bone marrow. Your body makes 3 types of blood cells:
- red blood cells - carry oxygen to your body
- platelets - help your blood to clot
- white blood cells – help your body fight infection
Many kinds of blood diseases are cancers like acute
leukemia,
multiple myeloma,
myelodysplasia or
lymphoma.
Not all blood diseases are cancers. Aplastic anemia is a blood disease that isn't considered cancer. With aplastic anemia your body can't make enough of the cells in your bone marrow.
What are some symptoms of blood disease?
Blood diseases may cause you to:
- feel tired
- have problems with bleeding
- have various types of pain
- feel sad, anxious, or stressed
Often, you can have side effects from the treatment of these conditions that are like the symptoms of the disease.
How can palliative and end-of-life care help?
If you have a blood disease you may need many blood transfusions. You may wonder about how your life will change. You and your family may have worries or questions about your diagnosis, treatments, or what's next for you. The palliative and end-of-life care team can help to:
- answer your questions
- manage your symptoms
- talk about when you may want to stop transfusions and other therapies if they're no longer helping
- give emotional support to you and your family
- find other supports if you need a higher level of care (for example, go from home to supported living or hospital)
