Steve Jobs admits poor health

Sad Professor

Just saw this on the BBC news website:

Apple chief executive Steve Jobs is being treated for a "hormone imbalance" but is staying on as the firms CEO.
In a statement, Jobs said he had been suffering from ill health for a number of months.
"I have been losing weight throughout 2008...doctors think they have found the cause: a hormone imbalance that has been robbing me of the proteins my body needs to be healthy," said Jobs.
Apple's board said they were giving Jobs "complete and unwavering support."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7811857.stm

Here's his full statement from Apple.com:

Dear Apple Community,

For the first time in a decade, I’m getting to spend the holiday season with my family, rather than intensely preparing for a Macworld keynote.

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.

I’ve decided to share something very personal with the Apple community so that we can all relax and enjoy the show tomorrow.

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.

I have given more than my all to Apple for the past 11 years now. I will be the first one to step up and tell our Board of Directors if I can no longer continue to fulfill my duties as Apple’s CEO. I hope the Apple community will support me in my recovery 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.

Steve

http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2009/01/05sjletter.html

Statement from Apple's board as well:

http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2009/01/05bod.html

J-blk

Yep, saw that on Gizmodo earlier - so the whole "nothing to do with Steve's health" line about him not giving the Macworld keynote was BS.

But then again, I really agree that his health is nobody's business and it is ridiculous that Apple's stock takes a beating every time there are rumors of him being in poor health. It's a good thing for Apple to be preparing for a post-Steve era and contrary to some rabid fanboy views, he is not solely responsible for everything Apple releases. Still, I'd say the Macworld keynote is going to be scrutinized even further now... hopefully Phil Schiller will deliver the goods.

babypink

get well soon el-Jobso!

Silverfish

Poor Mr Jobs.

Dman001

It is ridiculous that he has to go to these lengths to stop these rumors. It is nobodys business what health he is in and I don't see any other CEO having to do the same when they are ill. That's what makes me mad about Gizmodo too, they say they love the man but have no respect for him by publishing these rumors about his health and his decision not to deliver the MacWorld keynote.

eVeNtInE

This post has been deleted.