14 DAY TRIAL // Images obtained by The National Enquirer showing an extremely thin Steve Jobs have spurred speculation that the Apple boss has only six weeks to live, despite Apple’s efforts to draw a different picture about its CEO’s health.
For those who are not in the loop, Steve Jobs is on medical leave of absence to deal with some unspecified health problems, following a battle with cancer years ago, and a liver transplant more recently.
It remains to be confirmed whether the images in question actually show a thinner Steve Jobs, though it does look so.
Physicians quoted by the tabloid have weighed in on the matter, albeit just by looking at the photos in question.
They say he is stricken with pancreatic cancer and may have just six weeks to live, according to The Daily Mail.
Admittedly, the CEO’s jeans do look as if they are hanging quite loosely, but it’s hard to call it actual evidence that Jobs’ medical condition is worse than previously thought.
Apple’s head looked pretty much the same at his last keynote address, and the one before, and the one before that.
Mr. Jobs’ weight is said to have dropped from 175lb (pre-cancer) to 130lb., according to The Enquirer.
Doctors say his thinning hair is a sign of the effects of advanced chemotherapy.
The tabloid said that Mr. Jobs was seen on February 8th as he was going for breakfast with his wife before heading to the Stanford Cancer Centre in California.
According to The Daily Mail, Dr. Jerome Spunberg offered his expert opinion, saying: 'Mr Jobs is most likely getting outpatient chemotherapy at Stanford because the cancer has recurred.'
Next up, Dr Gabe Mirkin, a physician with 40 years' experience, said
“He is terminal. What you are seeing is extreme muscle wasting from calorie depravation, most likely caused by cancer. He has no muscle left in his buttocks, which is the last place to go.”
Mirkin added, “He definitely appears to be in the terminal stages of his life from these photos. I would be surprised if he weighed more than 130lb.”
Critical care physician Dr Samuel Jacobson told the Enquirer that, “Judging from the photos, he is close to terminal. I would say he has six weeks.”
“He is emaciated and looks to have lost a lot of muscle mass, which spells a poor prognosis,” Jacobson added.
Finally, a person who claims to have been in close proximity with the Apple CEO, said, “He is very frail, moving like a weak, feeble old man.”
“He weaves back and forth when he walks, as if he is having trouble keeping his balance, and the pain of every step is evident on his face.”
Perhaps we can calm things down a bit by reminding our readers that a person who allegedly encountered Steve Jobs right at the front door of Apple’s HQ said the CEO looked vivid, healthy, and was smiling as he talked on his mobile phone on January 31st.
“The one thing that really stood out […] (besides his trademark Levi’s, black mock turtleneck and sneakers) was the twinkle in Steve’s eyes and his full, genuine smile as he spoke on the phone,” the eyewitness details the experience on his blog.
“In spite of the media’s negative focus on his known health issues, one can only stand back and marvel at his tenacious spirit and absolute passion for his passion,” this person said.