I came outside after a long laborious night and needed to say a prayer for the doctor inside. The glow amongst our South Pole village shone with a mysterious pink light. Maybe my vision was playing tricks on me.
Here we are in the coldest zone on the planet, stuck if you will, by our own accord. Isolated but connected. How she had the courage to cut out her own breast tumor I’ll never know?
And so now, my release. I cry for her in amazement, and joy, yet I pray she makes it after all that bravery. Goosebumps. Tears fall that immediately freeze on my cheeks. Best go back inside to check on the doctor, I mean patient.
by Kim Troike
My recollection of a news story from years ago. My grandmother’s doctor knew the lady doctor (possibly they went to med school or something) who found her breast cancer while on assignment at the South Pole. She couldn’t wait six months for surgery and diagnosis. The doctor performed her own lumpectomy while at the South Pole about twenty years ago. I don’t know if she is still alive. When I saw this picture I knew that was the South Pole!
Photo credit~Douglas M. Macilroy
Photo prompted Friday Fictioneers @ Rochelle Wisoff-Fields blog
*Update:
Yesterday I wrote a short 100 word fiction story with elements of truth. I recalled a story I’d heard (see, I’ve been a news junkie all along and especially love those human interest stories) and elaborated to make it my own. I had to look it up after people commented they had heard it, too. In very simple journalism, here is the story:
Dr. Jerri Nielsen Fitzgerald died at the age of 57 in 2009 after a second bout with breast cancer. It returned in 2005. Initially, she found a lump while at the South Pole as the only doctor there. Medically trained at the University of Toledo Medical Center and a citizen of Ohio, she wrote a book “Ice Bound: A Doctor’s Incredible Battle for Survival at the South Pole.” It became a TV movie!
The National Guard rescued her in 1999 as chilling conditions presented with the temperature 58 degrees below zero. She had to wait for them to come and get her out after her initial discovery in 1998, so she performed her own surgery. They dropped her chemotherapy medication to the village below while she waited. Amazing.
source: NBCNews
gardenliliepub 
Ouch.. to perform surgery on yourself make me shudder… but at least if you are a surgeon you know how to do it I guess.
Yes, shudder is the word, but no choice. Thanks Bjorn.
I recall that story. I don’t know if she’s still alive either. Maybe someone here knows. Great response to the photo.
We will probably know by days end. That’s how fast news and info travels in this digital age. Thanks Caerlynn.
I’ve got goose-bumps! Well done.
Thank you!
I remember that story too. It will be interesting to find out how it ended. Good one.
Thanks Sandra. The coincidence is that my grandmother’s doctor knew the lady doctor. Yikes.
I remember being struck by her courage. Very brave woman.
Her name was Jerri Nielsen, MD and I swear that I always write before I read anyone else’s work. You wrote the sequel to my story. Nice compassionate point of view from her colleague. Great minds…….
Write on,
Tracey
Thanks! I will be over to check out the prequel. Great picture of the South Pole.
Wow! That’s an amazing story. I hadn’t heard it before.
Hi Claire! I am following you. Thanks for commenting, and it is amazing in such conditions.
Oh my this is a true story?!?
Ah, what an amazing story. I goggled her, what a brave woman.
Thanks for commenting.
Dear Lilie,
An amazing story and even more amazing in the facts. You and Tracey were definitely on the same track this week. Both are refreshing and unique. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
What a story, I had no idea it was true (I’m reading somewhat randomly and came across Tracey’s story first.) It’s amazing what people can do in extreme situations.
I read about that story. Amazing what people can – and will – do to survive.
Thank you for stopping by!
Good story made even better due to the fact that its based on true events. I can’t even imagine the courage it must have taken to perform an operation like that on yourself. Well done. 🙂
Thank you for the lovely comment. Just read your band story and it, too, is well done. Poor Edward, but he has the music!
You’re welcome. 🙂 Music was always the most important thing in Edward’s life, so its definitely a consolation. Thanks for reading.
You and Tracey were on the same track this week – read hers first, then found yours. Great stories both. Well done.
Thanks, yes we were. The photo speaks accurately to the area.
An amazing story! Such a shame though that it came back.
Devastating when it comes back and your life remains a statistic! Only to be catalogued as a death instead of a provided cure for a human being.
Fascinating story – it’s amazing what some people are capable of when their backs are against the wall. You brought the scene to life movingly in your story. I’m saddened by your update – she didn’t make it!
Performing surgery on oneself is incredibly risky. But she survived…for a while.
Yes, she did.