I'll probably regret this, but I'm sorry, but there's no way I'm going to let Mal OR Fiona take the flak that something I did.
I requested that the "Thanks Jules" thread be removed.
For those who knew nothing of what was going on, I'll start at the beginning. Most now know that when I was 32 & 35 I underwent surgery to have total knee replacements on both legs. It's not normally done in people young, because they only have a life span of about 10-15 years. However, I was on the verge of bein wheelchair bound, and my arthritis was so severe TKR was the only option! It transformed my life - not melodrama, the truth, and me power walking a full marathon in 7 hours confirms that.
Fiona has bad knees and "may" have to have the same op. She asked for advice and I've been talking her through it. It's a truly horrible and painful op but it's worth the 6 months of crap. I then offered to help Fiona's recovery by having her come stay here for a month so that she wasn't home alone. It's an emotional rollercoaster having this op early and I wanted to be able to help in a number of ways.
She declined my offer but wanted to thank me, so she posted a little thanks. The details weren't necessary. Some accepted the thread, others wanted to know the details and didn't see the point. Personally, I feel it's an internet forum and freedom of speech. Then someone posted something that kinda could've been taken out of context, so I had a PM conversation with that person and the post was duly amended.
But the thread went into decline and because I'm a soppy stoopid sensitive woman I didn't like it and it upset me. NONE of the derogatory comments were about me, but my name was in the title thread and I didn't want to be personally attached to such a heated debate.
I PMd Mal and asked if he could remove it, and he duly did. So another post was started saying the T'Internet Police have removed it because THEY didn't like what was being said. I'd asked Mal NOT to divulge who'd asked for the thread to remove and fair play, he didn't, and in fact took the hit from some directly, which he didn't have to do. As well as Fiona getting her fair share of the blame.
And THAT is why I'm writing this now. Please, please don't blame Fiona or Mal. It was me who asked for it to be removed.
I apologise. I know you all like a heated debate on a Friday, and no doubt this post will create a few reds in my direction. I'm sorry. I meant no harm. I got upset by the original thread and took the coward's way out. I'm not much cop at being in the limelight like this, preferring to be a backseat heckler.
So, Fiona, I'm sorry my deleting the thread got you some grief.
Mal, I'm sorry you had to take the hit for something I asked for.
And to the debate team, I'm sorry for ruining your Friday night fun.
I truly meant no harm. I just wanted to help a fellow diver who's going to have a rough time of it over the next few months and there's not many on here who've had knee replacements, so I thought I may be able to help.
I'll get me coat now..........