I remember that one of the 1st advices that someone gave to me about growing was : don't remove a leaf if it's not damaged more than 70% because the plant will suck the energy out of it until if fold.
Of course that advise is counter balanced by the fact that you can defoliate every leaves that are blocking budsites.
I feel she'll bounce back during the stretch , you have one more week and new leaves should appear.
About the mold , if it's caused by a fungus then you can spray with a milk/water spray ( 9 part water 1 part milk to start and you can go 1/3 milk 2/3 water )