I have CML (35 year-old male, dx'd at 33) and this is for the most part accurate. It he was experiencing the night sweats, hot flashes and appetite problems - he was probably caught in the chronic phase of the disease (the latter being advanced/accelerated and ultimately blast crisis). I am sure the drug he is on is called Gleevec - it is owned by Novartis and was touted as the Magic Bullet on the cover of Time magazine in 2001 when it was fast tracked and ultimately FDA approved. It is under patent until 2016 ( with a novel drug extension until 2018 I believe ). Assuming Kareem is on the standard dosage of 400mg daily, his bill be will $3,000 per month USD (unless he gets an NBA break). People certainly fail the drug from time to time, but it is really well tolerated by most and this has paved the way for even better drugs using similar technology (Nilotib and Sprycel). Gleevec is still considered the standard of care primarily because it works so well and side effects are often little more than some nauseau and bone pain (think minor shin splints).Prior to this drug, life span was generally limited to 3 years (save a bone marrow transplant) and I am told it was a pretty miserable existence.If I wasn't reminded I was sick everyday by taking a pill (or the fact that I am uninsurable...yes, I live in the US) - I'd forget I was sick.