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Michelle decided it was time to take personal stock. She had lost so much so she reminded herself what she had not lost.

• Her strong work ethic
• Perseverance
• Determination
• Finding a way through every roadblock

These were the traits which saw her excel in her career prior to the accident. Michelle’s Road to Recovery: Of course, Ms. Gamble was unwilling to accept that answer. She’d spent her life analyzing data and problems and finding the best solutions possible. Amputation couldn’t be the only option. She sought the advice of more experts who repeated every other doctor’s prognosis. If she did not proceed with the amputation she’d lose her life. Michelle refused to give up. She researched infections and the latest medical studies and asked tough questions, sometimes surprising her caregivers with her business-like approach to discussing her own body.  The infection was running rampant in her body so she worked day after day and late into the nights researching cutting edge treatments. She networked her way through the medical establishment looking to identify the very best in the field who could give her a solution.  Finally, Michelle met an expert at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center who agreed to help her save her foot. Over the course of two years Michelle endured nine surgeries and persistent pain and the world seemed to be moving ahead without her. Michelle and her doctors beat the infection and saved her foot. They spent the last year meeting specialists and over 400 physical therapy sessions. She did not walk or drive in those times but found a way to get around by family, friends, trains, buses and Uber. She had more surgeries to repair her bones and skin only then to start to learn how to walk all over again.  Her ankle was so much different that it had been before that her whole body needed to adjust to doing things very differently. Michelle’s battle came at a cost. She focused all her energy on maintaining the integrity of her body and for preserving her long-term health for herself and her family.  Michelle missed out on a few years of a very prospering career and saw her best clients and challenging assignments go to people she had trained and mentored. Michelle Now – Primed for Professionalism: For Michelle, the journey has been arduous but strangely rewarding. Her recovery is considered medically miraculous. She not only saved her foot but is entirely free of pain and she doesn’t even walk with a limp. The accident which threatened to destroy her has left no mark on her physical abilities. Her health fully recovered, Michelle is grateful for the simple things like walking with her son across the sand on Laguna Beach and the freedom to drive herself to the store and meetings.  When asked, she says how inspired she was by the graciousness of total strangers and their willingness to support her.  On those days, which were so filled with pain, she saw the beauty that comes in simply being present to all that is around her. In the end, the qualities which served her so well in business were the same ones which have led to her full recovery. She says that the last three years have given her more than any period in her life. The accident and the infections which did not kill her, in the end left her healthy with the strength of a survivor.