Jobs comes clean on illness, denies serious issues
updated 09:25 am EST, Mon January 5, 2009
Jobs admits to illness
Responding to recent rumors, as well as long-standing concerns, Apple CEO Steve Jobs has admitted in an open letter that his pullout from the annual Macworld keynote can be partially attributed to health matters. "Unfortunately," writes Jobs, "my decision to have Phil [Schiller] deliver the Macworld keynote set off another flurry of rumors about my health, with some even publishing stories of me on my deathbed. I've decided to share something very personal with the Apple community so that we can all relax and enjoy the show tomorrow."
Jobs goes on to say that while he was losing weight throughout 2008, neither he nor his doctors understood what was happening until the last few weeks, when he decided that diagnosing and fixing the condition was his "#1 priority." Tests -- including blood analysis -- are said to have confirmed the presence of a hormone imbalance, which has been depriving Jobs' body of necessary proteins. Although declining to go into much detail, Jobs says that treatment is "relatively simple and straightforward," and has already begun.
Jobs notes that while he is continuing on as CEO, and will be the first to tell Apple's board of directors if he cannot hold onto his position, it will take until late spring to recover the weight lost during 2008. "I hope the Apple community will support me in my recovery," he writes, "and know that I will always put what is best for Apple first."
"So now I've said more than I wanted to say, and all that I am going to say, about this," the letter concludes. The rest of the board of directors has meanwhile issued its own statement, expressing support for the executive and commenting that people will be told if and when Jobs is leaving.
Sounds like
01/05, 09:42am (2 replies) reply
a thyroid problem. That can result in decreased protein synthesis and can also cause protein to break down too rapidly.
greenG4
Grizzled Veteran
Joined: Aug 2002
cynical
01/05, 09:57am (1 reply) reply
While I'm reading this article there is an advertisement of the Weight Watchers next to Steve's picture asking me whether "my weight is healthy"..... I guess the whole Mac community is a weight watcher when Steve is concerned. Hope you get well soon, Steve.
tortenteufel
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2007
And now...
01/05, 09:57am reply
Can we close the discussion and let the man have his privacy back?
jmelrose
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 1999
Gotta say though
01/05, 09:58am reply
Job's isn't "coming clean". He simply made the announcement. The title of the article makes it sound as if he was lying to people instead of simply not commenting.
greenG4
Grizzled Veteran
Joined: Aug 2002
right...
01/05, 10:02am reply
This is exactly what the Kremlin would do in the good ol' days. Release a supposed statement from their leader who was gravely ill.
Then again, he better be careful. First, he's starting to lose his hair. If he goes on treatment and doesn't watch it, he could gain too much weight. This would then make him more out of shape, causing him to exert more when giving presentations.
So Apple could end up with a bald, overweight, and sweaty CEO. OMG, its some MS plot to turn him into Ballmer!
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
and
01/05, 10:03am reply
Despite what he wants, no one will be enjoying the show tomorrow. Without Jobs, its just any other PowerPoint (sorry, Keynote) presentation.
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
Rx
01/05, 10:10am reply
thyroid shmyroid whatever. macnn is not a source for diagnosing medical problems, don't try and explain it by posting a comment on a WEBSITE. case closed, let the man be. Enjoy the keynote & move on.
InfraredAD
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 2001
Just what the man said...
01/05, 10:21am reply
the race must go on. Still our thoughts and prayers are with you Stevie.
Mac-a-Bayan
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2004
Yep...
01/05, 10:51am reply
Face it, if he hadn't commented the stock price
would bounce all over while the next reporter
would theorize he was growing a second head or
the like. This was a good and reasoned bit
and well written.
I like the fact that he is going to spend the holiday season with his family - why not?
Get well soon Mr. Jobs.
Todd Madson
Mac Elite
Joined: Apr 2000
Truth or Smoke screen?
01/05, 10:51am reply
Yes, he deserves a little privacy but if he is so closely tight to the success of Apple, he needs to be more forthcoming about his health. How does his presence effect the price of Apple stock which has a ripple effect on the health of the company? This statement only raises more questions on whether Steve is actually active in day to day business or burning sage and getting enemas at a commune down the road.
tcphoto
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2004