Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at Disneyland in 2007. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)

NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar announced he was diagnosed with leukemia. 

I had the privilege of meeting him several years ago, and he seemed like a genuine person.  The outcome for a leukemia patient is usually gloomy, but I hope he pulls through.

The Associated Press story is posted below via NewsOK.

BY BEN WALKER OF THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is being treated for a rare form of leukemia, and the basketball great said his prognosis is encouraging.

The NBA’s all-time leading scorer was diagnosed last December with chronic myeloid leukemia, he told The Associated Press on Monday.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar during an event Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

The 62-year-old Abdul-Jabbar said his doctor didn’t give any guarantees, but informed him: “You have a very good chance to live your life out and not have to make any drastic changes to your lifestyle.”

Abdul-Jabbar is taking an oral medication for the disease. He is a paid spokesman for the Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis, which makes a drug that treats the illness.

Citing the way Los Angeles Lakers teammate Magic Johnson brought awareness to HIV, Abdul-Jabbar said he wants to do the same for his form of blood cancer, which can be fatal if left untreated.

“I’ve never been a person to share my private life. But I can help save lives,” he said at a midtown Manhattan conference room. “It’s incumbent on someone like me to talk about this.”

Abdul-Jabbar became concerned last year after feeling odd sensations. He went for tests at UCLA, where he dominated college basketball in the late 1960s, winning three straight NCAA championships from 1967-69.

“I was getting hot flashes and sweats on a regular basis,” he said. “That’s not normal, even for my age.”

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.

The 2009 "American Idol" winner Kris Allen

–After six months of going through the legal system, Usher’s divorce from Tameka Foster Raymond was finalized this week. 

–Susan Boyle will perform next week on “Dancing With The Stars.”

–Actor Dennis Hopper was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

–”American Idol” champion Kris Allen’s new video premiered this week. Click here to watch it.

–John Mayer recorded a duet with Taylor Swift.  The song “Half of my Heart” will appear on his upcoming album “Battle Studies.”

–Dolly Parton, Kid Rock, Charlie Daniels and Ernest Tubb will be inducted to the Music City Walk of Fame Nov. 8 in Nashville.

–Lady Gaga will perform her new song “Bad Romance” Nov. 16 during an episode of the tv show “Gossip Girl.”

–During the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards this week, Beyonce thanked husband Jay-Z for putting a ring on it. This is a big deal because its the first time they have shown verbal affection toward each other in front of the cameras.  From day one they’ve made a vow to refrain from discussing their relationship publicly.

Rue McClanahn during an event in Santa Monica (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)

According to “Entertainment Tonight,” the 75-year-old actress had was hospitalized after she had trouble breathing. 

A spokesperson said the surgery was successful and McClanahan is recovering.

McClanahan, along with Betty White, are the remaining “Golden Girls.”  Estelle Getty died in July 2008, and Bea Arthur died in April (2009).

McClanahan was born in Healdton, Oklahoma, and she grew up in Ardmore.

Kanye West performed while his late mother Donda West stood by in 2006 during a taping of the "Ellen DeGeneres Show." (AP Photo by Damian Dovarganes)

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a law in memory of rapper Kanye West’s mother.

The Donda West Law requires cosmetic surgery patients to undergo a physical examination before the surgery. 

Donda West died in 2007 after a cosmetic procedure.  She had coronary artery disease, but it was undiscovered because she didn’t undergo a physical exam before the surgery.

While she was alive, Kanye had a close relationship with his mother.  She accompanied him to several celebrity events, and she was always by his side on the red carpet. 

Shortly after her death, Kanye continued to perform during concerts, and I don’t think he had time to properly grief.  

I’m not making excuses for him, but maybe that’s why he’s prone to random outbursts.

(from left) Leona Lewis, Clive Davis and Carrie Underwood attended a Grammy party in 2008 (AP Photo by Chris Pizzello)

The cover to Leona Lewis' autobiography. The book will be in stores Thursday (Oct. 15).

Pop singer Leona Lewis was hit in the head Wednesday (Oct. 14) while she was signing autographs for fans. 

The 24-year-old was hit by a man at a bookstore while she was promoting the release of her autobiography. 

Her publicist issued a statement on Facebook that said “Leona was the victim of an unprovoked attack this afternoon at her book signing. The police were called immediately and medical attention has been sought. Leona is understandably shaken and apologises to the fans she was unable to meet and complete signings.”

According to the Associated Press, a 29-year-old man was taken into police custody, and his motive is unknown. 

Lewis became famous in 2006 when she won the U.K. talent show “X Factor,” which is similar to “American Idol.”

Her hit songs include “Bleeding Love,” ‘I Will Be” and “Better In Time.” Her autobiography titled Dreams will be in stores Thursday (Oct. 15).

Members of the Backstreet Boys (from left) Howie Dorough, A.J. McLean, Nick Carter and Brian Littrell (AP photo by Lo Sai Hung)

Members of the Backstreet Boys are canceling numerous performances and appearances beginning this week because group member Brian Littrell was diagnosed with swine flu.

Littrell posted a YouTube video apologizing to fans for the cancellations. 

Group members are promoting the release of their latest CD titled “This Is Us.”

If you’re like me, you probably didn’t even know they were releasing new music.  They seemed to have disappeared with the other boy bands in the late 1990s/early 2000s.

Their new CD “This Is Us” is in stores today (Oct. 6).  However, they have downsized to a quartet because original member Kevin Richardson left the group in 2006.

Littrell’s YouTube apology is posted below in the video clip.

During an interview with People magazine this week, R&B singer Tionne “T-Boz” revealed she was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2006.

She said she underwent surgery to have the tumor removed, but she kept the tumor a secret because she didn’t want people to pity her.

T-Boz also suffers from sickle cell anemia, and she has worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the blood disorder.

T-Boz was a member of the popular 1990s R&B group TLC. 

The group disbanded in 2002 when group member Lisa “Left Eye” Lopez died in Honduras during car accident. 

However, T-Boz and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas have made occasional appearances as TLC.

Conan O’Brien tried to perform his own stunt for a segment of “Tonight Show,” but it didn’t mix well with his clumsiness. 

Conan hit his head Friday night while performing a stunt, according to the Associated Press.  He was taken to the hospital, and producers pulled the plug on the episode and aired a rerun instead. 

Conan released a statement jokingly saying “Last thing I remember I was enjoying the play with Mrs. Lincoln, and the next thing I knew I was in bed being served cookies and juice.”

Maybe next time Conan should hire a stunt double.

“Baywatch” star David Hasselhoff was rushed to the hospital Sunday, according to TMZ.

Hasselhoff’s daughter said he appeared to bey drunk, and she became alarmed and notified authorities.

 Emergency workers arrived at his home in Encino, California.  He was taken to the hospital, but he was released shortly afterward. 

However, Hasselhoff’s representatives say he wasn’t drunk.  According to TMZ, the reps said he was treated for an ear infection.

The prescription drugs he was taking for the ear infection along with a prescription drug that treats his alcoholism caused his equilibrium to be off balance.

Hasselhoff was a recovering alcoholic who battled the bottled during the past several years.

Actress Mischa Barton was locked up in a psychiatric ward earlier this summer.  So, why was she locked up in the crazy house?

Some people speculated it was because she was crazy, or she was on drugs. 

In an interview with Time Out New York, Barton explains why she had to stay at the psych ward.  Excerpts from the interview are posted below.

INTERVIEWR: A lot of people are watching you now, speculating you were in rehab back in July.

BARTON: Here’s what happened: Before the show started, I was traveling abroad for contract stuff and I went through a terrible surgery—a wisdom tooth surgery, all four removed. It was a nightmare. I’ve never had surgery before—it all went wrong and I had to have a second surgery and it almost delayed shooting because it was a nightmare to me, because I couldn’t deal with the thought of not getting there on time. So with the travel, and surgery and prep for the show—it was hell.

INTERVIEWR: Is this when you were checked into Cedars?
BARTON: Yeah, I went through a tough spot where everything compounded on me, and it was like a perfect storm, like everything was happening to me at once. The show, travel and then this fairly routine surgery that went wrong—it’s still just healing. But I had to get through it without proper painkillers because I couldn’t take those during work. So it’s been a nightmare.

INTERVIEWR: How did you end up in a psychiatric hospital?
BARTON: I was down in the dumps about everything there for a while. Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom about things and have to get the most stressed-out just to feel better again. I got completely stressed-out and couldn’t handle everything, and now I feel really in control.

INTERVIEWR:Was it an official nervous breakdown? Drugs?
BARTON: I don’t know. I don’t know. I had a friend who had a quasi–nervous breakdown, but I’m not sure it’s the same thing. I’m not sure I’m capable of a full-on nervous breakdown, but it was pretty bad. It didn’t last that long. It was more about the pain. I have a newfound respect for people who have chronic pain. I started getting migraines.

Reality star Brody Jenner didn’t get to spend his 26th birthday partying like many people do on their special day.  Instead, he was in a hospital bed.

Brody underwent surgery Friday to have his appendix removed.  His publicist told People magazine “He is resting with family and friends and expected to have a speedy recovery.”

Brody appeared on 16 episodes of “The Hills” and his own reality show “Bromance” aired on MTV earlier this year. 

Brody is related to several celebrity families.  His father is gold medal track and field Olympian Bruce Jenner; His mother is actress Linda Thompson; his step-father is music producer David Foster, who produced “I Will Always Love You” for Whitney Houston; and his step-sister is Kim Kardashian.

Treston Irby from the 1990s R&B group Hi-Five was injured during a nightclub shooting earlier this week.

Irby was shot five times outside of the Everybodeez nightclub in New Haven, Connecticut, according to the New Haven Register. A motive for the shooting is unknown.  Irby is recovering at a local hospital.

Irby, 36, made an appearance at the club to promote himself as a solo artist.  Irby joined the R&B group Hi-Five during the 1990s.  Their hit songs included, “I Like The Way (The Kissing Game),” “I Can’t Wait Another Minute” and “Quality Time.”

The lead singer of the group was Oklahoma City native Tony Thompson who died in 2007 from an accidental drug overdose.

Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler was airlifted to the hospital Thursday (Aug. 6) after he fell off the stage during a concert in South Dakota. 

According to the Rapid City Journal, the 61-year-old singer fell while the group was performing their song “Love In An Elevator.” 

The video clip shows Tyler trying to spin around like Michael Jackson, then he fell off the stage. 

Tyler suffered minor neck, head and shoulder injuries.  A video clip of the incident is posted below.

Barton was hospitalized at a psychiatric facility earlier this month at Cedars -Sinai Medical Center. 

Los Angeles police responded to an unknown incident at Barton’s home and they placed her in the psych ward after they determined she presented a clear danger to herself or others. 

Barton’s spokesman said she is “out of the hospital and continuing  to improve in anticipation of resuming production as planned.”

Barton is currently on the CW television show “The Beautiful Life.”  She became famous when she starred as Marissa Cooper on the television show “The OC” from 2003 to 2006.

Although she was released, her cast mates should still sleep with one eye open whenever she’s around.  I can tell she still has some craziness in her. 

Tim Henley

Bestie Boys member Adam Yauch says he was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in a salivary gland and a lymph node. 

The band members will now cancel their tour dates and postpone their new CD release titled “Hot Sauce Committee Part 1.”

In a video statement posted on the group’s Web site, Yauch said  “About two months ago I started feeling a little lump in my throat.  I started think I should talk to my doctor, and he sent me to a specialist, and they did tests, and I actually have a form of cancer.”

“The good news is that they did scans of my whole body and it’s only localized this one place, and it’s not in a place that effects my voice, so that’s nice,” he said with a laugh. “This is something that’s very treatable in most cases, they’re able to completely get rid of it and people don’t have continuing problems with it and it’s not anywhere else in my body.”

The Beastie Boys formed in 1981.  Their most notable song is “Fight For Your Right” from their album “Licensed To Ill.”