No one would deny the impact that Steve Jobs return to Apple has meant to the company.  The iMac, Mac OS X, the iPhone, iTunes and yes, the venerable iPod.  All of these devices has some link back to the creative and inspirational genius that is Steve Jobs.

So it was a bit of a shock to the system for many Apple fanatics and fans alike to hear the news today, that Steve Jobs would be taking an extended medical absence from the helm of Apple Computer.  Citing complications with his recent diagnosis, he has stated that it would be best for him and Apple Computer, that he takes the time off to recoup and recover.

Steve Jobs was diagnosed in 2004 with a rare form of pancreatic cancer, a strain that is very treatable when caught early.  Since then he has run the gauntlet from pudgy-cheeked, to recently looking a bit gaunt and frail.  Many speculated the cancer had come back, but Job assured all that it was just a hormonal issue that could be fixed with some simple treatments.  Now with today’s announcement, people are starting to wonder that the cancer has returned, and that it might be worse than before.

The recent news of Jobs’ illness also has people wondering what the company will do without him at the helm, if the situation becomes worse for Jobs.  Does Apple have a plan to continue on with the things he created?  One only has to look at the time at Apple Computer after he left, when the product innovation and overall company morale went into a complete tailspin.  Another telltale sign of worry:  Apple stock dropped over $6 a share in after hours trading.