 |
|
|
|
October 25th, 2011
12:27 PM ET
Steve Jobs: A difficult patientAll those vague statements about his health that Steve Jobs put out in the last few years caused endless speculation, as the world tried to read into what could really be going on. But now, with the biography "Steve Jobs" with Walter Isaacson, we know that behind many of those optimistic statements was a cancer that was spreading from pancreas to liver, and finally to bones and elsewhere in the body. One of the biggest surprises is that while he received state of the art medical care, he went against doctors' orders many times. When his pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor was first discovered in October 2003, doctors said he was lucky that it had been detected so early, and it could be removed before definitely spreading. But, in Jobs' own words, "I really didn't want them to open up my body, so I tried to see if a few other things would work." Those "other things" included a strict vegan diet, acupuncture, herbal remedies, and other alternative techniques -Â even consulting a psychic. His family pleaded with him, but it wasn't until June 2004, when a CAT scan revealed that the tumor had grown and perhaps spread, that he had to realize he couldn't successfully will his own cancer treatment. The surgery in July 2004 involved a modified Whipple procedure, removing part of the pancreas. But it wasn't a cure: Doctors found cancer spread to three spots on his liver during the operation. It's impossible to know whether having the surgery sooner would have removed the cancer before it had spread. Yet Jobs told everyone he had been "cured." In his famous 2005 Stanford Commencement speech, a rare moment of being forthcoming about his cancer to the public, he said "I had the surgery and I'm fine now." Jobs also went against doctors' orders with his eating habits. Since he was a teenager, Jobs had practiced strange routines involving fasting, and would go on obsessive diets. That's a problem because, the stomach needs enzymes to digest food and absorb nutrients, making it harder for patients who've had pancreas surgery to get enough protein. The standard of care is to have frequent meals and a diet with a variety of proteins from meats, fish and milk. But, as Isaacson points out, "Jobs had never done this, and he never would." Flash forward to 2008, when Jobs and his doctors knew the cancer was spreading. Besides being in pain, Jobs was losing a lot of weight. This was partly a result of the partial Whipple procedure, partly because his appetite was reduced because of cancer and morphine, and also because he insisted on the same restrictive diets and fasts he'd practiced since his teenage years. Sometimes he would spend weeks only eating something like apples, or a carrot salad with lemon, and then abruptly denounce that food. Isaacson writes:
In a public statement he attributed his weight loss to "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." We all had speculations, but what that actually meant was: Jobs had a hormone imbalance because his cancer had spread to his liver. He underwent a liver transplant in 2009, when his health was declining rapidly. It was successful, but doctors found that there were tumors throughout the organ, meaning the cancer had probably spread elsewhere. They also found spots on the thin membrane surrounding internal organs. Jobs again went against doctors when he insisted that they not pump out his stomach when they needed to perform a routine procedure. That led to pneumonia, and he might have died. But he survived, and didn't lose his stubbornness, even while deeply sedated. He thought the oxygen monitor on his finger was "ugly and too complex," and offered ideas for making the design simpler. His health and spirits appeared to improve after the transplant, but in November 2010 he experienced another downturn. He was a mere 115 pounds at Christmas. Doctors saw evidence of new tumors. "Every inch of his body felt like it had been punched, he told friends," Isaacson writes. And his dietary finickiness continued. The family had a part-time cook who made him a variety of healthy options, but he would refuse them after merely touching one or two to his tongue. Cancer curbs appetite, but Isaacson suggests Jobs had a deeper complication from his psychological attitude toward food. He took a third medical leave in January 2011. Jobs was among the first 20 people in the world to have a complete sequencing of all of the genes of his cancer tumor, and of his normal DNA. In this way, his medical team could choose specific drugs targeted at the molecular pathways that were promoting the abnormal growth of cancer cells. "I'm either going to be one of the first to be able to outrun a cancer like this, or I'm going to be one of the last to die from it," Jobs told Isaacson. In July 2011, however, doctors had trouble pushing back against the cancer even with targeted drugs. Jobs had stopped going to work; he was in pain, couldn't eat most solid food, and passed many days watching TV. When Jobs announced his resignation as Apple's CEO at the board meeting on August 24, the cancer had spread to his bones and other body parts. "I've had a very lucky career, a very lucky life," he told Isaacson. "I've done all that I can do." soundoff (1,566 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Next »Leave a Reply to Internet Marketing Near Me
Next entry »Jobs' cancer consultant talks health care
« Previous entryHuman Factor: Applying diet lessons to all of life
|
  About this blog
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love.
 |
|
|
|
Very good article! We are linking to this particularly great post on our website. Keep up the good writing.
http://photoshow.aving.net/korean/?wptouch_switch=mobile&redirect=http://ocrv.me/rv-repair-shop-carlsbad-california
When I originally commented I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I receive four emails with the same comment. Is there an easy method you can remove me from that service? Thank you!
http://aff-tracking.dkt.com.vn/click/33966?url=http://ocrv.xyz/rv-repair-shop-encinitas-california
http://f001.sublimestore.jp/trace.php?pr=default&aid=1&drf=13&bn=1&rd=https://ocrv.info/rv-repair-shop-santa-monica-california
http://www.montauk-online.com/cgibin/tracker.cgi?url=https://niku9ch.com/2020/03/20/sphynx/
/
http://esafety.cn/blog/go.asp?url=https://ocrvcenter.com/bucket-truck-repair-near-me/
Next time I read a blog, I hope that it won't disappoint me just as much as this particular one. After all, Yes, it was my choice to read, but I actually believed you would probably have something useful to talk about. All I hear is a bunch of moaning about something that you could possibly fix if you were not too busy looking for attention.
https://spacioclub.ru/forum_script/url/?go=https://clubinsanitybangkok.com/en/component/k2/item/1-live-at-the-black-and-white-show?start=887690
http://sc.sie.gov.hk/TuniS/ocrv.guru/rv-repair-shop-grand-terrace-california
That is a great tip especially to those new to the blogosphere. Brief but very precise info… Thanks for sharing this one. A must read article!
https://www.oltv.cz/redirect.php?url=https://ocrvcenter.com/rv-repair-shop-el-monte-california/
/
Aw, this was a really nice post. Taking the time and actual effort to create a top notch article… but what can I say… I hesitate a whole lot and don't seem to get anything done.
http://risk-zero.com/info/news/6298072952078336?next=http://affordableranking.com
Aw, this was a really good post. Spending some time and actual effort to make a top notch article… but what can I say… I hesitate a whole lot and never manage to get anything done.
http://www.remontmix.ru/out?t=1&mid=19521&url=http://www.ideasparahogar.com/2020/03/atrapasuenos/
Impressive! Thanks for the post
https://www.bottleshockmovie.com/tips-for-saving-money-on-hvac-repair-service/
You made some decent points there. I looked on the web for more info about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this web site.
https://slack-redir.net/link?url=https://ocrv.today/rv-repair-shop-glendale-california
http://5ivestarlondon.com/track.aspx?click=I&group=Z&item=Primrose+Bakery+Bespoke+Service&url=https://projectmanagementsolutionsltd.com/the-debate-over-pay-paper/
/
Howdy! I just want to give you a huge thumbs up for your excellent information you have here on this post. I will be coming back to your site for more soon.
http://www.irealite.com/simulateur.php?url=https://affordableranking.com/
Your style is very unique in comparison to other folks I have read stuff from. Thanks for posting when you've got the opportunity, Guess I will just bookmark this site.
http://www.freegame.jp/search/rank.cgi?mode=link&id=80&url=http://www.affordableranking.com
https://d.agkn.com/pixel/2389/?che=2979434297&col=22204979,1565515,238211572,435508400,111277757&l1=http://forkliftswildwestlifttrucks.com/dana-point-forklifts
This is the right web site for everyone who wishes to understand this topic. You know so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually will need to…HaHa). You certainly put a brand new spin on a topic that's been written about for ages. Wonderful stuff, just wonderful!
http://www.tannerm.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
https://cse.google.nu/url?q=http://forkliftswildwestlifttrucks.com/fountain-valley-forklifts
http://www.webclap.com/php/jump.php?url=https://forkliftswildwestlifttrucks.com/perris-forklifts
I used to be able to find good advice from your content.
http://www.sc-jellevanendert.com/pages/gastenboek/go.php?url=http://www.affordableranking.com
http://kauppa.waltti.fi/redirect-to-lang/?lang=fi&url=http://affordableranking.com
Excellent article. I am facing a few of these issues as well..
https://www.sureman.com/bbs/bannerhit.php?bn_id=107&url=http://www.affordableranking.com/
https://www.purepilatespower.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
http://aero-insider.mobi/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
You need to take part in a contest for one of the most useful sites on the internet. I most certainly will recommend this web site!
/
How do I get my WordPress blog posts to get views in the days after I first post them?
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kmkowalsky/
http://he-web.com/rank.cgi?mode=link&id=6111&url=article.rabia.co.in/91125/exactly-how-to-accomplish-research-study-and-also-locate-the-best-rv-services-near-me/
Aw, this was an incredibly nice post. Taking the time and actual effort to make a top notch article… but what can I say… I put things off a whole lot and never manage to get nearly anything done.
http://as.inbox.com/AC.aspx?id_adr=262&link=http://jessemarchant.com/blogs/jbm-blog/posts/moonwatcher-for-out-of-town-films
/
http://oraung02.iamgold.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrv.us/rv-repair-shop-encino-california
https://aro.lfv.se/ViewSwitcher/SwitchView?mobile=True&returnUrl=https://ocrv.club/rv-repair-shop-escondido-california
The very next time I read a blog, I hope that it doesn't disappoint me as much as this particular one. After all, I know it was my choice to read, but I actually thought you would have something interesting to talk about. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something you could fix if you weren't too busy looking for attention.
https://go.onelink.me/v1xd?pid=Patch&c=Mobile Footer&af_web_dp=https://ocrv.guru/rv-repair-shop-fullerton-california
I’m amazed, I have to admit. Seldom do I come across a blog that’s both equally educative and engaging, and without a doubt, you have hit the nail on the head. The problem is something which not enough men and women are speaking intelligently about. I'm very happy that I stumbled across this during my search for something concerning this.
https://advtest.exibart.com/adv/adv.php?id_banner=7201&link=https://ocrvcenter.info/rv-repair-shop-stevenson-ranch-california
Very good information. Lucky me I ran across your blog by accident (stumbleupon). I have book marked it for later!
http://www.folkd.com/detail/bestservicenearme.com/
http://ins.o-hara.ac.jp/ViewSwitcher/SwitchView?mobile=False&returnUrl=https://ocrvluxurycoaches.com/rv-repair-shop-panorama-city-california
I blog quite often and I truly thank you for your information. Your article has truly peaked my interest. I am going to take a note of your site and keep checking for new details about once per week. I opted in for your Feed as well.
http://ecare.unicef.cn/edm/201208enews/url.php?url=https://ocrvluxurycoaches.com/motorhome-installation-near-me
http://local.katc.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvcenter.net/rv-repair-shop-escondido-california
https://www.cropscience.bayer.ca/?setlanguage=en&returnUrl=https://ocrv.life/rv-repair-shop-vista-california
http://p-bandai.jp/access/forkliftswildwestlifttrucks.com/counterbalance-forklift-repair-orange-county-california
http://engine.pitchengine.com/v1/util/link?c=PitchLink&a=/v1/pitches/e829965b-ded0-4c0a-9ffe-757942058364&v=http://www.laviemodernfurniture.com/&l=https://ocrvmotorsports.com/rv-remodel-near-me
https://www.c-sharpcorner.com/AdRedirector.aspx?BannerId=744&target=https://ocrv.biz/rv-repair-shop-eastvale-california
https://www.are.na/go?redirect-to=https://ocrvshop.com/rv-repair-shop-orange-california
You have made some good points there. I checked on the internet for additional information about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this web site.
https://cloudsso.hikvision.com/logout?service=https://theocrv.com/motorhome-generator-repair-near-me
http://kite-rider.com/0link/rank.cgi?mode=link&id=178&url=https://cdaseo.com
https://www.trucktown.ru/go.php?https://www.alatharnews.com/?p=1198
Hey there! I just would like to offer you a big thumbs up for the excellent info you have here on this post. I will be coming back to your blog for more soon.
http://www.bbs.cfish.idv.tw/link.php?url=http://www.cdaseo.com
You need to take part in a contest for one of the most useful websites online. I will highly recommend this blog!
https://www.usacarry.com/forums/redirect-to/?redirect=http://joshuajobst.com/wedding-photographers-in-michigan-think-twice-about-increasing-iso/