Jobs considering liver transplant; Wants to be left alone
Summary: Apple CEO Steve Jobs is reportedly considering a liver transplant, a medical procedure that could add years to his life, following complications stemming from his treatment for pancreatic cancer, according to a report in Bloomberg. Reached by telephone, Jobs told Bloomberg that he would not comment further on his health.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs is reportedly considering a liver transplant, a medical procedure that could add years to his life, following complications stemming from his treatment for pancreatic cancer, according to a report in Bloomberg. Reached by telephone, Jobs told Bloomberg that he would not comment further on his health.
“Why don’t you guys leave me alone -- why is this important?” Jobs said.
Earlier this week, Jobs announced in an e-mail to employees that he would be taking a medical leave of absence until the end of June after he learned that his condition was "more complex" than he previously believed. Earlier this month, he said he was suffering from a "hormone imbalance," which was causing the weight loss that had made him appear to be frail and thin.
Bloomberg quotes Steven Brower, a professor and chairman of surgery at Mercer University School of Medicine in Savannah, Ga., as saying that patients with Steve Jobs' condition "can survive for 20 years or more from the time of their original cancer diagnosis, and the surgery often gives good results." Brower hasn’t treated Jobs and doesn’t know details of his condition.
Apple has repeatedly declined comment on matters relating to Jobs' medical condition, saying that it is a private matter. That position has sparked a debate over whether the company has an obligation to disclose the information. The news leaks and rampant speculation has caused shares of Apple to fluctuate.
Also see: The Success(or) of Steve Jobs
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Talkback
He can be left alone easily
So long as he wants to run Apple, he is responsible for shareholders' billions. If he wants that responsibility, he isn't going to enjoy the same privacy as an ordinary person.
+1
[b]Sam Diaz Looking for Scruples![/b]
It's been widely reported that Sam Diaz is looking for the scruples he seems to have lost. His recent lack of scruples was demonstrated in a column he did on Steve Jobs. The hack job column had no facts, just conjecture poorly disguised as "news."
It is hoped that Sam will recover fully.. when asked for a comment it was claimed he said "Scruples? Who needs'm? Just leave me alone.."
Must Disagree
The argument that he's responsible for their billions, therefore they have a right to know, is specious, at best. Anybody could die at any time, in any of a plethora of ways.
If he's sick and can't properly do his job, he's already done the right thing and taken a leave of absence. He's taken himself out of the control of billions argument right there, meaning the public, and you, can take a flying leap if your curiosity is piqued.
This is pure FUD
The only thing they had was a quote from Jobs where he said
nothing except "leave me alone". This is not news and its
quite pathetic.
Fud?
There's no transparency at Apple.
Things change(d)
How many people have gone to the doctor for a bad cold, only to return a week later with pneumonia, bronchitis and a sinus infection? Or, visited their doctor for a persistent cough that originally is treated with decongestants, only to find out a short while later that they have cancer? ETC...
Venture out into the REAL world every once in a while.
RE: Jobs considering liver transplant; Wants to be left alone
So how does he know what will treat Steve Jobs? I agree with ChrisOPeterson, there is nothing in these reports that verify if he needs a liver, or what his procedures will be for that matter. I'm not sure if that is even Steve Jobs that was quoted above but it sure is good advice, leave the guy alone. Its sad to think that the media is doing this, making his life miserable while he is trying to recover.
what they do best
Stockholders deserve to have info.. If he wants privacy, he should resign.
If the CxO's want privacy, they should resign ... or take the company private.
.
Leave him alone
When important infromation is available, it will be made public on a need-to-know basis. If the heads of Apple are foolish enough to "hide" important facts that could affect the health of the company, then that is their fault. I don't think this is the case yet, and I am not going to lose any sleep until I hear something relevant.
The "key folks behind it" are important only to set the path and vision, and to lead people in the direction they think is best for their products. Although Steve is a visionary leader, he has surrounded himself with very good people who have learned from him as to what the technology paths are and what direction their products should take.
I am sure Apple will do well without Steve Jobs in the office every day, the same way that GE is doing well without Jack Welch, and the USA did well without JFK.
Nobody, and I mean NOBODY, is indispensable.
Simply put: "Leave the guy alone". Please go find worthy sources of news.
Define Important?
It's not fair that he loses his privacy, but that's the way it goes when Apple and the CEO of Apple are viewed as one and the same (even if that's unfair to all of the hard working Engineers at Apple).
Bull!
Who has no right to privacy?
for office. McCain provided extremely limited
access after multiple bouts of cancer and Palin had
problems releasing her medical information. Don't
know if she ever did. And they were running for
somewhat important offices.
As for Apple, shareholders would be better off
looking at products on the market, the potential of
other products being delivered in the near future -
stuff like that. Then look at Apple's financials,
starting with the amount of free cash available to
keep the company on a strong footing through
difficult times.
Any employee at Circuit City can tell you that cash
and salable products override the CEO any day of
the week.
Give it a rest already, Your guy won. Without a valid birth certificate.NT
RE: Jobs considering liver transplant; Wants to be left alone
announcement that one would consider 'required' based on
his position as CEO of Apple and the related fiduciary
responsibilities. That announcement was "I am on a
medical leave". That is all the stockholders, employees,
and customers are entitled to. Apple has executives in
place that can, and will, continue the day-to-day business
of Apple. All of these executives are hand-picked choices
of Steve Jobs. The ship is under control and being
managed, and managed properly. That is all ANY of us
(customers, stock-holders, employees) should, and could,
expect. Steve Jobs is currently a private citizen and is due
the same amount of privacy that any of US expect...and
demand. LEAVE THE MAN ALONE. NONE OF US ARE DUE
ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON HIS PRIVATE LIFE...AND
THAT INCLUDES HIS HEALTH!
Jeff R. 1/19/09
No requirement to disclose health info, Think about it!!!
unlawful question for an employer to ask. Why hasn't anyone spoken up about this? Federal law keeps trying to draw safety rings around your private information, and you all want to throw it away for the first thrill of blood.
The employer may offer (and pay for) a hefty Life Insurance Policy on a key person, and even offer a Long Term Care package (perks we do not want to lose from an ill thought out new health insurance policy). Steve Jobs health information, and every other individual's health information, is private. The ONLY exception is the US President and some people in positions of great authority (who could ostensibly be being "propped up"). Clearly, nobody is propping Jobs up......
That said, it is a terrible, huge label to hold up - the "I have cancer" label. Deathly ill, we still feel our obligations keenly. But to stay on this planet, we have to stop and take care of ourselves. Let Jobs heal.
How to suck in clicks
2. Take what people conjecture about the subject
3. Use conjecture as an assertion-based headline
4. Profit!!
Internet "information sites" are beginning to read more like
"The Inquirer." Remember when news articles actually
contained NEWS and opinion pieces were clearly identified
as such on the editorial pages? When did the principles of
journalism fall apart so badly?
send him a card, wish him well and get on with life!
RE: Jobs considering liver transplant; Wants to be left alone
Pretty sleezy Sam..
Sleezeball is the term that comes to mind.