Ice Bound by Dr. Jerri Nielson

When I saw Dr. Nielson's obituary a couple of weeks ago I decided to pick up her book Ice Bound: A Doctor's Incredible Battle for Survival at the South Pole. If you don't remember - Dr. Nielson was the lone physician at the South Pole during the polar winter of 1999. Her job was to care for all the physical and emotional needs of her 40 colleagues. Because it gets so cold during the polar winter, planes cannot land or depart. It is shortly after the last plane leaves that Dr. Nielson discovers a lump in her breast. She keeps an eye on it for three months before deciding she needs help - but where does one get help when you are ice bound? Ice Bound is not just Dr. Nielson's story - it is the story of 41 people who come together as one to help a friend; it is the story of an oncologist in Indiana who finds a way to be both hopeful and honest with a patient she has never met; it is the story of a family who loves their daughter and sister so much they would do anything for her. It's not an easy read (her back story is fascinating) but it does give one pause (much like Three Cups of Tea) - how different is their DNA than mine?