Apple’s Steve Jobs Dies at 56

A sad day here in the Silicon Valley and around the world as news spreads about the death of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs.

Jobs invented some of the world’s most popular gadgets that have transformed everyday technology, from the personal computer to the iPod,  iPhone and iPad. He was 56 years old.

From the New York Times:

The death was announced by Apple, the company Mr. Jobs and his high school friend Stephen Wozniak started in 1976 in a suburban California garage.

Mr. Jobs had waged a long and public struggle with cancer, remaining the face of the company even as he underwent treatment. He continued to introduce new products for a global market in his trademark blue jeans even as he grew gaunt and frail.

He underwent surgery for pancreatic cancer in 2004, received a liver transplant in 2009 and took three medical leaves of absence as Apple’s chief executive before stepping down in August and turning over the helm to Timothy D. Cook, the chief operating officer. When he left, he was still engaged in the company’s affairs, negotiating with another Silicon Valley executive only weeks earlier.

From CBS News:

Jobs had been suffering from various health issues following the seven-year anniversary of his surgery for a rare form of pancreatic cancer in August 2004. Apple announced in January that he would be taking an indeterminate medical leave of absence. Jobs then stepped down as chief executive in late August, citing his inability to “meet my duties and expectations” stemming from his illness.

In a statement, Apple said paid tribute to its one-time leader as ” a visionary and creative genius” adding that the world had “lost an amazing human being.”

Patrick Swayze Dies at 57

After a nearly two-year battle with pancreatic cancer, Patrick Swayze has died at the age of 57.

It really has been a tough year for celebrity deaths in 2009. Swayze will be missed!

From the New York Times:

Swayze’s publicist Annett Wolf says the 57-year-old “Dirty Dancing” actor died Monday with family at his side. He came forward about his illness last spring, but continued working as he underwent treatments.

It was 1987 when Swayze became a star with his performance in “Dirty Dancing,” a coming-of-age story set in a Catskills resort. The 1990 film “Ghost” cemented his status as a screen favorite.

From the TMZ:

Swayze was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January 2008. His publicist says he died with his family at his side.

He was the star of such movies as “Ghost,” “Dirty Dancing,” and “Road House.” Swayze was named People’s Sexiest Man Alive in 1991.

Bernard Madoff Dying of Cancer?

According to the New York Post, Bernard Madoff has told fellow prison inmates that he is dying of cancer.

Looks like pancreatic cancer. This is what killed my grandfather. Quite possibly a painful death ahead for Mr. Madoff. I’m sure some will be happy if this rumor proves to be true!

From the New York Post:

Bernie Madoff had little to lose by confessing to masterminding the world’s biggest Ponzi scheme — he’s dying of cancer, sources told The Post.

Madoff, who is serving 150 years at a North Carolina federal lockup after pleading guilty to swindling more than $65 billion, has been telling fellow inmates he does not have much longer to live.

“He’s been taking about 20 pills a day for his cancer,” said one inmate.

“He talks about it all the time. He’s not doing very well.”

There’s been much speculation as to why Madoff took the entire fall for the scheme — and rumors of his suffering from pancreatic cancer surfaced many months before he arrived at the Butner, NC, complex in June.

The prisoners did not confirm that’s the form of cancer he’s suffering.

Kim Jong Il Has Pancreatic Cancer

A report coming out of South Korea this evening states that North Korean leader Kim Jong Il has pancreatic cancer.

Judging by recent photos, Kim Jong Il has appeared to have lost quite a bit of weight and this could be the reason.

If true, I wonder how close to death he could be.

From the Associated Press:

The 67-year-old Kim was diagnosed with the cancer around the time he was felled by a stroke last summer, Seoul’s YTN television reported, citing unidentified intelligence officials in South Korea and China.

The report cited the officials saying the disease is “threatening” Kim’s life.

Pancreatic cancer is usually found in its final stage, and considering Kim’s age, he is expected to live no more than five years, the report said.

South Korea’s spy agency said it could not confirm the report.

Kim’s health is a focus of intense media speculation due to concerns about instability and a power struggle if he were to die without naming a successor. His third and youngest son, Kim Jong Un, has widely been reported as being groomed as heir, but the regime has made no announcement to the outside world.

Monday’s report came after Kim last week made a rare public appearance, in an annual memorial for his late father and North Korea’s founder, Kim Il Sung.

Steve Jobs May Have Pancreas Removed

According to doctors, Apple CEO Steve Jobs may face surgery to remove his pancreas. This comes just one day after Jobs announced that he would be taking a leave of absence from the company until June.

From Bloomberg:

Jobs said yesterday he’s taking a five-month leave of absence after discovering that his health problems are “more complex” than he thought last week. Apple, which has plunged after a succession of rumors about Jobs’s medical condition, dropped as much as 6.2 percent in Nasdaq trading.

Jobs had a procedure similar to a Whipple operation, which involves removing parts of the pancreas, bile duct and small intestine, after he was diagnosed with a rare type of pancreatic cancer in 2004. A potential side effect of this procedure is that the organ has to be removed to prevent pancreatic leak, and the patient has to be kept alive with insulin to regulate blood sugar, said Robert Thomas, head of surgery at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne.

“You might have to take the rest of the pancreas out,” said Thomas, 66, who first performed the Whipple procedure more than 20 years ago. “You’re on significant doses of insulin, and it’s not easy to manage. The person has the risk of severe diabetes.”

Thomas hasn’t treated Jobs and doesn’t know details of his condition.

Jobs, who handed day-to-day operations to Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook, said he will remain involved in “major strategic decisions.”

Apple’s unwillingness to provide details on Jobs’s health has frustrated investors, who have watched the stock plummet with each new rumor about his condition. Apple didn’t give any details about Jobs’s health even as he appeared increasingly thin in 2008, saying only it was a private matter. Jobs said last week he suffers from a “hormone imbalance” that caused weight loss.

Patrick Swayze Hospitalized

According to numerous sources, Patrick Swayze has pneumonia and has checked himself into a hospital for observation.

From the Associated Press:

Patrick Swayze has checked himself into the hospital for observation after contracting pneumonia, A&E President Abbe Raven announced Friday at a meeting of the Television Critics Association.

Swayze was scheduled to appear to discuss his upcoming drama “The Beast.”

Robert DeBitetto, A&E’s programming senior vice president, explained his absence.

“Patrick has asked that I tell you that this morning he checked himself into the hospital for observation,” said DeBitetto. “Chemotherapy can take its toll on the immune system, and illnesses are a part of that. Patrick wishes me to tell you that he’s very sorry he cannot attend, but plans to get back to promoting `The Beast’ soon.”

Earlier this week, Swayze told ABC’s Barbara Walters that his yearlong battle with pancreatic cancer put him “through hell” while he pushed ahead on his new TV series.

The 56-year-old actor also owned up to his fear: “Yeah, I’m scared. Yeah, I’m angry. Yeah, I’m (asking), ‘Why me?'”