After Steve Jobs pulled out of giving the keynote at this year’s Macworld, there was rampant speculation once again about his health. The shares took a hit as investors began to worry about whether Jobs would be able to remain at the helm of the company. Despite an obvious distaste for talking publicly about his health, Apple released a letter today from Jobs designed to dispel the rumors that his cancer has returned, but which reveals that a mysterious “hormone imbalance” has caused him to lose weight. It also admits that this health problem indeed was one of the reasons why Jobs won’t be giving the Macworld keynote. (Apple’s chief marketing officer Phil Schiller will be filling in for him instead).
Here is an excerpt from Jobs’ healthnote:
Unfortunately, my decision to have Phil deliver the Macworld keynote set off another flurry of rumors about my health, with some even publishing stories of me on my deathbed.
. . . As many of you know, I have been losing weight throughout 2008. The reason has been a mystery to me and my doctors. A few weeks ago, I decided that getting to the root cause of this and reversing it needed to become my #1 priority.
Fortunately, after further testing, my doctors think they have found the cause—a hormone imbalance that has been “robbing” me of the proteins my body needs to be healthy. Sophisticated blood tests have confirmed this diagnosis.
The remedy for this nutritional problem is relatively simple and straightforward, and I’ve already begun treatment. But, just like I didn’t lose this much weight and body mass in a week or a month, my doctors expect it will take me until late this Spring to regain it. I will continue as Apple’s CEO during my recovery.
Jobs stresses that if at any time in the future he cannot perform the duties of the CEO for health reasons or otherwise, he will inform Apple’s board. The board, in turn, promises to inform its shareholders and the public. Let’s wish him a speedy recovery.
(Here is Crunchgear’s take: “Apple left MacWorld because Apple gets nothing from MacWorld.”)
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The best wish to Jobs!
Steve Jobs has been a hero of mine since I was a young girl and I had my first Macintosh.
The world needs more people like Mr. Jobs to inspire us and to show us that technology can be very sexy.
Ahh. TC has better covered this than what the BIGGS guy did it in CrunchGear..
John Biggs seemed to be enjoying calling himself a moron and a dick!
Good luck Steve, eat lots of Casein protein and protein isolates mixed with complex carbs, that will help you keep your weight up and your protein levels in your blood on par….all the best!
Jobs always going some good jobs
Create or join a crunchie’s chat group at http://groups.im/
if you have a look at his biography or any other trustful resource you’ll see that he didn’t have a “real” pancreatic carcioma, but cancer of the islet cells, which are very hormone active cells.
i am pretty sure that this is still in some relation with his prior cancer diagnosis.
anyways, if mr. jobs reads all this information and on the web I think it’s not our right to talk about someone’s privacy like that - even if he’s steve jobs and even siliconalleyinsider sees it differently.
(disclosure: i am an MD)
Apple published the letter from Jobs. On the Web. For whatever reason, he’s decided it is in Apple’s best interest to discuss his health problems publicly. Would you rather we ignore it?
>> “he didn’t have a “real” pancreatic carcioma, but cancer of the islet cells”
I hope that Jobs does not have any type of cancer.
To “Lukas MD” I don’t know about Europe, but in the US, the “islet cells” ARE considered part of the pancreas and yes, they are responsible for producing insulin.
Get well soon Jobs .. Hope to see you at the launch of some insanely cool Apple product soon
Lukas - Thanks for the clarification. Also, I agree with you with respect to the privacy issue although it’s a tough issue since Jobs is perceived as being such an important factor in Apple’s success. Do shareholder’s have a right to know? Probably not since all companies need to have solid succession plans and CEO’s could leave, get sick, etc. at any time.
Also, a valuable reminder for everyone to get a checkup, particularly guys who tend to go for years without a checkup.
john,
i just wrote a blog post on how my opinion on this is shaped..in a medical way if you are interested.
http://lukas.zinnagl.com/2009/.....bs-health/
i think the discussion about his health is simply a moral issue and needs to be answered by philosophers not by bloggers
As already mentioned, I really wish Mr. Jobs and his family all the best!
Why are you discussing it then?
Best wishes Steve
yeah best wishes and god bless
I wish Steve the best, use to do some promo work for Apple those were good times! It is a pitty as we get older stuff happens….. How about Bono as his replacement when the time comes!
Sunny Bono died years ago.
Too bad that isn’t the Bono he is talking about….
All the best Steve!
All de best Steve!
God Bless, Steve!
L, http://www.uniquechicjewelry.com
I just wrote a quick blogpost on my medical thougts on mr. jobs’ health..I think prior to all that discussion the facts of his former illness and his current state of health should be stated. However, It would be nonserious to claim any finite and 100% sure statements…it’s just my thoughts as an MD and apple maniac
http://lukas.zinnagl.com/2009/.....bs-health/
Get well soon Steve! Wishing you much health in 2009.
Thanks for the info Tech Cruch
Get Well Steve! As many other and part of the tech community.
Best wish to Steve….
Maybe, just maybe people will now shut up and let Apple get on with designing and making great computers.
Erick,
Duno why do people care so much if SJ is going to be at MacWorld or not. Why do we have to go into everyones business? For example do we need to know you don’t have money and you can’t come to MacWorld? (not that is true) but for example put your self in SJ position.
A . Want to spend time with family
B. Want to get healthy and avoid personal contacts with other people that initially stock you (Mac Gayness)
C. Someone else will say what I will say.
I mean 4 real why do people want SJ to be there? He has better things to do anyways than giving opportunity to tech bloggers take pictures of every f***ing move he makes (Wow big deal).
Duno, but if company is going to be judged by who is going to give keynote speech and if that person can show up or not …then those little iddy-biddy-tiny tech gayness people should really STFU and instead of spending time playing games, blogging all day …they should spend more time with family ….no wonder we are in this F..up situation ….
Anyways great post Erick!…now I am few hundreds words easier…
are you taking your folic acid steve?
get well soon
I hope Steve no longer remains CEO of Apple. He is guilty of way too much excellence & elegance in the products that he produces, setting the expectation sky high for mere mortals like me who are trying to produce a technology product !
Steve is an amazing talent and the world will never again see such elegant products
1st Tweets Timeline ~ $AAPL CEO Steve Jobs Letter on Health… http://tweetip.us/lkedr
The real question is: “Why does Steve have a hormone imbalance”.
Why does anyone in the world have any medical issues?
Steve was on the superfoodsplan.com weight loss plan, mainly on apples which are, of course, super.
Glad we can joke about it now they have found a hack for his ills.
Steve is the best, they need to leave the man alone..
http://gatesandjobs.blogspot.com/
Is there still time to clone Steve Jobs?
http://www.wealthylovematch.com/
Carpel Tunnel Syndrome from Key Boards, Brain Cancer from Cell phones, and now Hormone Imbalances from iPods?!
Increaed Nerdiness from over playing PS3?!….. oh wait.
Whats next?!
Steve, an apple a day keeps the Dr away.
yeah, he need rest for fighting
All due homage to a Genius.
Kick it, Steve!
All these tips are very useful for keeps our health fit and nice
I nice blog
Get well soon Steve….