Doctor rescued from Antarctica in 1999 dies at 57

[RamboLiberal]

Source: CNN

Nearly a decade after she was rescued from a remote Antarctic research station after diagnosing herself with breast cancer, Dr. Jerri Nielsen died early Tuesday, her brother said. She was 57.

Nielsen had been fighting the latest round of cancer for the past five years, brother Eric Cahill said. She died just before 4 a.m. in Massachusetts, surrounded by her family, he said.

"She would want to be remembered for the adventure and, you know, living every day, and not just the sickness," said sister-in-law Diana Cahill. "She was very much active and still even doing talks as late as March of this year. Then the last month or so, she was pretty sick."

Nielsen caught the nation's attention in 1999, when she found a lump in her breast as a 47-year-old physician stationed at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Research Station.

After finding the lump in June, she diagnosed herself with breast cancer and began treating herself using chemotherapy agents that the U.S. Air Force parachuted to the station the next month.


Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/06/23/obit.jerri.nielsen/index.html

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I remember this story well. A shame - still too young for that damn cancer to take her.

[emilyg]

1. So sorry to hear this.

[Forkboy]

2. I remember that as well.

Sad news.

[XemaSab]

3. Bummer

:(

[KT2000]

4. Too young

sad news indeed.

[Ikonoklast]

5. So sad, so young.

I remember when she was first diagnosed.

Peace to her, her family and loved ones.

[MaineDem]

6. My age.

Scary.

But her story is truly courageous. RIP, Dr Nielsen.

[babylonsister]

7. I remember her, too. She was gracious and fearless.

RIP, Dr. Nielsen.

[kestrel91316]

8. Her book on the Antarctica experience and rescue was excellent.

IIRC, she was in an abusive marriage, went through a nasty divorce, fought for and lost her kids, and so then went to Antarctica.

She had a rough life for many years. RIP Dr. Jerri.

[WheelWalker]

9. And the Wheel turns.

[Suich]

10. Oh, no!

I've got her book, "Ice Bound," which is an account of her time at the South Pole.

Lots of heroic men and women went to great lengths to help her in her battle with cancer.

RIP Dr. Nielsen

[Bette Noir]

11. She will long be remembered for her courage.

[Ecumenist]

12. Oh no! Oh my dear God! Bless her family and friends she left behind

May they have peace and she be granted safe passage.