Steve Jobs' Health Issues

He is known by his message - 'Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish' today, which he delivered during the Stanford University's commencement address in 2005. Steve Jobs epitomizes innovation and his passion for his work is inspiration for any young punk like me, who is trying to make a mark in this competitive world. He is not just the Chairman and CEO of Apple Inc. (from which he was fired once and subsequently reinstated), he is the company's brand ambassador and savior. Recent rumors about his health have raised concerns among his followers and fans. His decision last month, to take a long leave "so he could focus on his health", has left many people worried considering that he is a cancer survivor in remission. When Steve Jobs delivers a keynote address, the world listens and the fact that his ill health led to a drop in the company's stock value talks volumes about how much the man matters to Apple Inc.

His health issues first made news 7 years ago in 2004, when he let it be known that he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. That is when the rumors about, his deteriorating health began to make rounds, as that particular kind of cancer has a low recovery and prognosis rate. However, thankfully, the kind of pancreatic cancer he was diagnosed with (islet cell neuroendocrine tumor) was a less deadlier kind and he recovered from it after undergoing a pancreaticoduodenectomy (also known as 'Whipple's Procedure').

Since then, in every one of his public appearances in August 2006 and two years later in 2008, he looked understandably weakened, having gone through a complex cancer surgery, but still seemed to be in overall good health. In August 2008, Bloomberg made the mistake of publishing his obituary in corporate news, which intensified rumors back again. Later he quoted his blood pressure in last of his slides, during a media presentation and avoided answering questions about his health.

In 2009, at the Macworld Conference and Expo, questions about his health popped up again in the news, as he was replaced by Phil Schiller (Marketing Vice President of Apple Inc) to deliver the keynote address. Since then, he has reportedly been in ill health, suffering from a hormonal imbalance and other health issues, although a cancer recurrence was not reported. He went on a leave of absence until June 2009 and underwent a liver transplant, with a reportedly excellent prognosis.

After recovering from the transplant surgery, he was back to work in June. In January 2011, he decided to go on a long medical leave again to focus on his health and get better. Although the day-to-day running operations have been handed over to Tim Cook (as acting CEO), Jobs will continue to be involved in making all major decisions concerning Apple Inc.

As a biography would reveal, throughout the 55 years of his life, Steve Jobs has been a fighter, who has turned every misfortune into an opportunity to come back stronger than before. All of his fans, followers and employees hope that he recovers from his health problems soon and takes the podium back again on the Apple Inc. platform, to continue coming up with out of box ideas that have driven his company ahead!