Has anyone heard of this blood disorder?

My aunt (46 years old), was just diagnosed with polycythemia vera. It is along the lines of leukemia but she does not need chemo. She has to have phlebotemies done all the time now (fancy way of saying "draining her blood") to relieve the pressure of all the extra red blood cells and platelets her body makes. Its insane-she is so, so sick and has three little kids. I am doing my research on it-but was wondering...

have any of you heard of this or know someone with it?? Its pretty rare, but thought it couldn't hurt to see...I am really sad for her and the family. She is in a lot of pain from it all..

Re: Has anyone heard of this blood disorder?

My DH's best friend has this...he has to go for blood drains every few weeks.

Re: Has anyone heard of this blood disorder?

Re: Has anyone heard of this blood disorder?

Well, he has his good days and bad days. More good than bad though.

He has had 2 or 3 TIA's and ended up in the hospital, but he also does NOT take care of himself, and he smokes

I don't know all that much about it...when he was first diagnosed we went on the internet and started to read about it, and it was scary stuff...he doesn't talk about it that much.