Bredesen and his physician discuss illness

Governor Phil Bredesen made his first public appearance in two weeks today, hosting a press conference at the State Capitol together with his personal physician, Dr. Karl VanDevender.

Quoting the old Mark Twain line as he began -- "Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated" -- Bredesen said he is now returning to "limited duty" as he recovers from what was apparently a tick-borne disease, but he will "take it a little bit easy for the next few days."VanDevender said Bredesen began feeling ill on August 6 while visiting Missoula, Montana to perform a wedding for a former staff member. He tried to shake off the illness on his own but finally went to see VanDevender a week later.