There was never a doubt in Patti Valero's mind that she could overcome the loss of her leg and get back on the job. After all, the retiring Hillsborough County firefighter had grown accustomed to facing adversity throughout not only her career but her personal life as well. "I never cried," Valero said in a recent interview with Firehouse.com about those first moments in the hospital when she realized her left leg was gone. "Not one time. I was just focused on coming back to work."