On Gabrille Giffords

[CTyankee]

3. I so totally agree with you! I had a similar, but much less serious, incident in my life in 2007.

I was working at a part time job for a small nonprofit and had a fairly "simple" elective surgery done to prevent acute diverticulitis. It was safe, I had researched it and had spoken with my gastroenterologist about it, and I was satisfied it would be OK. However, post-surgery I developed a serious scar tissue blockage, resulting in further surgery, subsequent infection, more surgery. Who knew? there was no test, no medicine, no way of knowing such a thing could happen. Either you develop scar tissue or you don't. Period.

I realized that the agency I worked for could not get the job done properly with me out for months, which was the case. I reluctantly but firmly resigned and helped the agency find my replacement. I could not stand in the way of the agency's important work but I also knew that I had a long road ahead to recover, which of course was the case. Nothing on the level of Giffords' situation, but an example of doing what you have to do.