Conversation so far:
What started Curly Howard's decline?
Curly Howard's energy began to wane
Was Curly Howard sick when his energy began to wane?
Curly Howard was diagnosed with extreme hypertension, a retinal hemorrhage, and obesity.
Did Curly Howard's health continue to decline after being diagnosed with extreme hypertension, retinal hemorrage and obesity?
In spite of eight weeks' time off in that same period, Howard's condition continued to deteriorate

Question: Was he unable to work during this time?
Self-contained rewrite: Was Curly Howard unable to work during the time that his condition continued to deteriorate?