Book Report-"Icebound"

by Dr. Jerri Nielsen with Maryanne Vollers

When Dr. Nielsen was 46 years old, she decided to take a year off from her hospital work, and go to the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station in Antarctica. She joined a team of scientists, engineers, geologists, construction workers etc. and bunkered down for many months of winter, functioning as the only doctor on the team. During this time, she discovered a lump in her breast, consulted doctors in the U.S. via e-mail, performed a biopsy on herself, and began chemotherapy treatments.

It is really quite a story. Although there is little mention of Christianity in the book, there were many people who demonstrated Christian behavior. I was moved by the kindnesses and gifts they would give each other when there were no material things left to give. One of her friends would take her on a snowmobile ride to see the sky just because he knew she would like it.

The book is really about friendship and courage and I recommend to anyone who is fascinated by the strength of human endurance, the medical field, and life at the South Pole.

Doc Holliday, as she called herself, was eventually flown to the U.S. for treatment. This took place during the Clinton Administration when something else crazy was happening in the world, but I forget what it was and I can't find it in the book. The Doc and her support group were hoping that the media coverage would be pointed in that other direction, but unfortunately, the media was overly fascinated with her story, and although she had reasons for wanting to keep her privacy, she had to go public. Like I said, it's quite a story.

You can borrow my book. I wonder how the Dr. is today.
She had this experience in 1999 and published the book in 2001.
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Aug. 15, 2009-Just looked her up on-line. She passed away on June 23, 2009.
Cancer returned to her bones and then to her brain but she lived like a winner to the end.