It's been a number of years since I read it, and while it was alright, one of things I couldn't help but come away with was, frankly, a bit of annoyance. She was/is one damn lucky lady. While she did acknowledge the support and stuff…. really, I don't think she really understands JUST HOW GOOD she had it. I can't recall specifics at this point, but basically, IIRC (outside of having to deal with the BP) -- she's lived a pretty advantaged life... Socio-economically, family, opportunities, support, means, etc.. It runs through the whole book, naturally, as this has been her life. I don't blame her for it, it was just a distraction to me. Main point: I just I couldn't relate to her story all that much.

Anyhow, I'm betting your Dr. is right, and that you are very intelligent. But intelligent people don't all follow the exact same route to get where they want to go. It's not that you "can't do all the things this lady did". (Italics mine.) You're living your life, blazing your trail, not hers, you know? It's a detour and a different situation, not a reflection on intelligence.

ETA… bit of a detour there myself… Basically,point is…. having to drop out because of BP stuff doesn't make you any less intelligent. (I got the sense you might be thinking that…"can't do all the things… followed by the dropping out part. Maybe I am reading too much into that, but I hope you don't feel that way.)