I am feeling confused

The language of haematologists is complex. Knowing the lingo can help you find your way in the strange land of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). When you first learn you have a myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN), it can be overwhelming to grapple with a new diagnosis. You might find it difficult to understand what your doctor is telling…

I am feeling fatigued

As patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), there’s one thing many of us have in common: we may feel fatigued.  But there are solutions available that can give us more energy. Research shows that fatigue is one of the biggest problems we face as people with MPNs.  In 2005, the Mayo Clinic in the US conducted…

I am feeling strong

Some people with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) feel just fine. If you feel strong, take advantage of this and protect your long-term health by getting active. Not everyone with an MPN feels unwell. You may feel fit and energetic and if that’s the case for you it’s great news. “A person with a low risk MPN…

I am pregnant

A coordinated care plan between your haematologist and your obstetrician helps ensure the health of you and your unborn child. Some people are diagnosed with a myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) in their twenties and thirties, a time in life when you may be thinking about starting a family. The good news is that having an MPN…

I am looking to talk

One of the biggest challenges some people face when they have a myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) is finding someone to talk with, someone who really understands. Many of us didn’t know what an MPN was when we were first diagnosed. Often we had never met anyone who had one of these disorders. One of the challenges…

I am feeling uncertain

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are chronic, long-term illnesses, and because they continue through our lives, they can change the way we see ourselves. While many people take their illness in their stride, others, particularly those who feel unwell or are facing serious risks to their long-term health, might find that having an MPN brings up many…

I am under 24

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are rare and they’re most likely to affect adults.  However, these disorders can affect people at any age. If you are under 24 years old and you have an MPN, you might not know anyone else with an MPN let alone someone your own age. Gavin Maynard-Wyatt, Lead Cancer Nurse for patients…

I am caring for someone

There’s nothing you can do to change the diagnosis, but reliable information and emotional support can make all the difference. If your loved one has been recently diagnosed with a myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) you might be coping with many feelings. You may feel afraid of losing your loved one and wondering what is ahead. You…

I am looking for alternatives

Get the balance right.  Combine the best of conventional medication with complementary therapies to find a plan that works for you. Many people with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are frustrated with the lack of choice and potential side effects associated with conventional treatments.  Others feel concerned about the long-term risks posed by medications. Beyond conventional treatment…

I am hoping for a cure

When you were first diagnosed your haematologist may have told you the disheartening news that “there is no cure.” It’s true that none of the current medications available can eradicate your myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) but new research is pointing the way toward better treatments and we hope one day a real cure for patients with…