Leukemia hits famous personality

[Guest guest]

" An exam showed his white blood cell count was " sky high " and a doctor quickly

diagnosed his condition. At first, all Abdul-Jabbar heard was the word

" leukemia. " " I was scared, " he said. " I thought it was all the same. I thought

it could mean I have a month to live. " " That was my first question, " he said.

" Was I going to make it? " A longtime student in martial arts, Abdul-Jabbar said

he took the approach of a samurai, to face death without fear. " I had my face

on, " he said. Instead, doctors told him CML was treatable with proper medication

and monitoring. Abdul-Jabbar is a special assistant with the Lakers and said he

hasn't had to cut back his level of activity of coaching, change his regimen or

adjust his diet. " I'm able to sneak out for Thai food, " he said.

" There is hope. This condition can be treated. You can still live a productive,

full life, " he said. " I'm living proof I can make it. " Abdul-Jabbar recently

returned from an academic conference in Abu Dhabi and has several speaking

engagements planned. Among the people he regularly talks to about his condition

is his son, a third-year medical student at the University of California, San

Francisco. The six-time NBA MVP intends to post updates to his Facebook and

Twitter accounts and stay connected through www.CMLearth.com, a Web site for

those afflicted by the disease.

" About 5,000 cases of CML are expected to be diagnosed in the United States

this year, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society said. More than 22,000 people are

living in the US with the disease. The disease tends to initially be diagnosed

by people in their mid-to-late 60s, and usually affects men more than women. " I

want to spread the word, " Abdul-Jabbar said. "

http://tinyurl.com/2amg62n

FYI,

Lottie Duthu