Politics | 01/15/2009 9:10 am

What's Really Wrong With Steve Jobs?

By The Staff at wowOwow.com

Apple CEO Steve Jobs’s ailing health has investors — and staff — worried.

The computer whiz has been looking gaunt as of late, and tried to clear up rumors this month when he announced he has a "hormonal imbalance." His condition was, he assured the public, completely manageable. Unfortunately, that may not be the case, for Jobs announced yesterday that he’s taking a five-month leave of absence for "health-related issues that are more complex than I originally thought." He did not elaborate, which only adds more rumor-soaked fuel to the fire.

So what’s really wrong with Apple’s chief executive officer?

Some doctors say that Jobs could be facing surgery to remove his pancreas. You may recall the 53-year-old had part of his pancreas removed five years ago, when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Now there’s speculation that he has to have the entire organ removed, a harrowing operation that would require him to closely monitor his insulin levels. It’s no wonder Jobs says he’ll be taking five months off. He’ll definitely need a long time to recover from the operation. In 2004, he reportedly took only one month off to recover from surgery.

Of course, there are all sorts of other wild rumors, like Jobs may have HIV, for example. Whatever the reason, Jobs has remained vague, even among his employees. Here’s the letter he sent out yesterday:

Team,
I am sure all of you saw my letter last week sharing something very personal with the Apple community. Unfortunately, the curiosity over my personal health continues to be a distraction not only for me and my family, but everyone else at Apple as well. In addition, during the past week I have learned that my health-related issues are more complex than I originally thought.

In order to take myself out of the limelight and focus on my health, and to allow everyone at Apple to focus on delivering extraordinary products, I have decided to take a medical leave of absence until the end of June.

I have asked Tim Cook to be responsible for Apple’s day to day operations, and I know he and the rest of the executive management team will do a great job. As CEO, I plan to remain involved in major strategic decisions while I am out. Our board of directors fully supports this plan.

I look forward to seeing all of you this summer.
Steve

It’s evident that the brilliant chief has some serious health issues to handle, and we wish him all the best in the months ahead.

20 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

As an avowed “mac-head” , I pray for his health and quick return. There has never been a business so reliant on the founders vision, and I take him to task for not selecting someone to insure a smooth transition, like Bill Gates did with Microsoft, although I understand that it is not in his makeup to do so. I can’t imagine my “tech” life without my iPod, iMac and iTouch. He is a true visionary.

By EKA - on 01/15/2009 9:49 am

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After reading the posts below, I will not even entertain the thought of his demise. I choose to believe that he will live. ……. It may be wishful thinking, though. Very Sad.

By EKA - on 01/15/2009 2:45 pm

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Pancreatic cancer is deadly. IF - and that is a big IF - the cancer is still only at the head of the pancreas, a few top surgeons are trained in the Whipple process, taking it out and other parts in the adjoining area. Huge changes in life style have to be taken afterwards. . . and patients that do recover from that are told, I believe, that the long term success rate is not so good. If I remember, it was 20% still alive at 5 years — and that is a good percentage. You can guess the rest — downhill slide from then on. I believe that is the case. After that it comes down to quality of life problems. I feel for the man as these are tough issues. This should be a private time for him. Period.

By joan larsen on 01/15/2009 9:55 am

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More like 5% after 5 years, 80% die within 2 years of diagnosis. It is also one of the most painful experiences that one can go through.

By Jock Crack on 01/16/2009 7:19 pm

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Jock … as several of my friends have recently died of pancreatic cancer, I have “been there” in that last year or less, and it has been horrible. Before I wrote, I did look up the mortality rate — both on the operating table and the mortality rate after having THE WHIPPLE PROCEDURE which is only used if the cancer is at the end of the pancreas - and how many who had had this operation lasted and for how long. The problem with Whipple is that the aftereffects, the changes in your life after having had it, made me question if the quality of life was worth it. There is a point where you have to put the quality into the balance on whether to proceed with Whipple or not — or so I think.

By joan larsen on 01/16/2009 8:58 pm

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Man he does not look well at all—having used his ‘puters for decades now I still impressed by their innovations—using an Imac at present and what a whiz of a ‘puter. I do hope he gets better—his innovation in Computer science and technology will be sorely missed should his health fail totally. Besides he a nice guy too.

By f p on 01/15/2009 10:39 am

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Yes I wish him well too. He does not look good.

By Grande Camper on 01/15/2009 10:45 am

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Here’s before and after pix of Jobs and wow the difference is dramatic— http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/14/steve-jobs-leave-of-absen_n_157…

By f p on 01/15/2009 10:46 am

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I think his pancreatic cancer has returned, probably with mets to the liver. Even though he is thin, and his color is “wrong”, I thought I saw some bloating in the tummy area when he turned to the side, which may very well be lymphatic fluid gathering in that area. I am amazed that he has lasted this long because it is usually a matter of 3 months or less. And, I imagine he has been a great inspiration to Swayze as he fights his pancreas battle.

By Diana T on 01/15/2009 11:30 am

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20 years ago friends at work would say that if someone really wealthy got cancer, then there would be a cure and blamed pharmaceuticals for holding back any advances. I don’t know if I believe that now. This man is such an innovator. And, the press shouldn’t be into his personal business. I am also sorry that investors are reacting the way they are.

By Brooklyn Gal on 01/15/2009 12:03 pm

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I would guess Graves disease, which is a hormonal disorder, a form of hyperthyroidism that is aggravated by stress. Naturally it would make a certain amount of sense for him to relinquish his high stress position to recover from any ailment, but especially for Graves. It could be something else, but he said hormonal. Graves and Addison’s are ailments that cause weight loss. I do hope he gets better. He is a true visionary. I once saw him speak at Macworld and he was riveting. Plus everyone I know who has an Apple computer is enchanted by them.

By Elizabeth Bennett on 01/15/2009 12:13 pm

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Elizabeth, Graves disease is a possibility which would match his apparent symptoms. I believe Graves is treated with radioactive iodine and can respond completely to such treatment. I extend my prayers for his personal privacy to strengthen and heal. Peace and grace

By beth willis on 01/15/2009 1:10 pm

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When lived on Stanford campus, before Jobs was diagnosed with his cancer, saw him pretty often in downtown Palo Alto, Whole Foods etc, he lives in/near the beautiful leafy old ‘Professorville’ area and once he and Al Gore were even walking through another neighborhood in that direction. He is a very down to Earth, great guy who collected bottles, slept on friends floors, and walked 7 miles across town then to get a free meal while in college. I am addicted to Apple products, esp my laptop, and Apple would not be the same without Steve Jobs. He IS Apple and very much beloved and respected by all of us Apple cultist. I hope and pray that the terrific team of genius doctors at Stanford Medical Center [where I assume he is still going] will be able to return him to excellent health. I don’t think there is a greater person in Northern California or the tech world than Steve Jobs. Godspeed.

By %$#@* !@&*^!! on 01/15/2009 1:46 pm