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
SOURCE Apple
