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nimrodiel's review against another edition
3.0
This was fantastic. I actually don't remember hearing anything about this when the media frenzy occurred in 1999. I did enjoy reading this. Like you Marlene, I really enjoyed learning about life at the South Pole Station. I saw this as another step in the path of healing that Jerri Nielsen took after surviving the breast cancer that threatened her life.
cherryghost15's review against another edition
3.0
Engrossing. Usually don't read non-fiction, but this story pulls you in and you won't want to put it down. This was a gift from Hagit. I was also more interested given Dad's time in Antarctica.
Just discovered that she died from a recurrence in 2009 and had a different last name due to divorce/remarriage. 5/19/14. Sad.
Just discovered that she died from a recurrence in 2009 and had a different last name due to divorce/remarriage. 5/19/14. Sad.
lgallo's review against another edition
4.0
This lady is pretty bad ass. she got herself out of an abusive marriage, went to Antartica, survived breast cancer. Hopefully her children have seen the light and gotten back in touch with her.
cfish77's review
3.0
This wasn't a book I was familiar with. I enjoyed it. However, because the "f-word" is in it a couple of times, I will be selective about who I recommend it to. Too bad there isn't "Clearplay" for books.
heidrwilliams's review
5.0
Extrememly good! Doctor travels to the South Pole to work at the station for a year. She discovers she has cancer there and has to treat herself. True story!
annabellee's review
4.0
Impressive account of a Doctor's personal, professional, and medical struggles at the South Pole: starting with the reasons she went there, and ending with the reasons she'd go back in an instant. "Wintering" at the South Pole - unreachable for 9 months out of a year - she is the only doctor, short on medical supplies, and faced with complications over the simplest measures because of the high altitude. Within this dome of home and hell, she discovers that she has cancer, and begins her desperate battle.
A True story, and an extremely good one. I recommend this for anyone who appreciates a little adventure and the struggles that accompany it.
A True story, and an extremely good one. I recommend this for anyone who appreciates a little adventure and the struggles that accompany it.
martha_schwalbe's review against another edition
4.0
The writing isn't great! With that said, life at the South Pole is something I will never experience, I don't have anything to offer a team of scientists, so this book is one of the closest ways I have of being there. What an experience it was to read about life at the South Pole, experiencing nearly one year within the pages.
Add to the story of life at the South Pole the urgency that a cancer diagnosis takes on when the patient is the doctor who is sent to the South Pole to take care of everyone else's health. Her experience reminded me of the nurses who were part of the Bataan Death March, caring for the soldiers as they battled disease, hunger, injuries, and other war elements.
Add to the story of life at the South Pole the urgency that a cancer diagnosis takes on when the patient is the doctor who is sent to the South Pole to take care of everyone else's health. Her experience reminded me of the nurses who were part of the Bataan Death March, caring for the soldiers as they battled disease, hunger, injuries, and other war elements.
pickishpiper's review against another edition
5.0
A stellar read about a remarkable woman. As if attending medical school in the '70s in the U.S. as a woman or the fact she perservered as a wife and a mother in an abusive relationship weren't enough, Dr. Nielsen signs up as the lone medical personnel at the US Antarctic base to "winterover". Only a few months in to her assignment, Dr. Nielsen locates a lump on her breast. When the lump does not dissipate after her menstrual cycle and continues to grow in size and pain triggering, Dr. Nielsen and the base's team of mechanics, cooks, construction crew, and IT wizards begin the long journey of self-biopsies, BCB (blood count tests), and pre-turn of the century teleconferencing with a specialist in Indiana, USA with left over equipment from the US Navy that had not been refreshed since the 1970s from the bottom of the globe. While "Duffy's" immediate family and Polie family rally behind her in personnel and through email, her ex-husband and three kids abandon and disparage her fight for survival. An exciting, angering, and heartening read. Dear The U.S. Government - maybe spend the money to have two medically trained personal in the frozen hellscape that is the Antarctic when winterover commences due to the minus 100F temps and inability for planes to land more than half of the year? Just a thought.