Her story gripped a nation. In 1999, Dr. Jerri Nielsen went to the South Pole on a one year contract with the U.S. National Science Foundation. She was the only physician among 41 researchers and scientists. The doctor became the patient... her own patient.. after she discovered a lump in her breast that was malignant. Now, the breast cancer survivor travels the world talking about her inspirational story and her travels brought her to Sioux Falls and the Avera McKennan Campus.
    Eight years ago, Dr. Jerri Nielsen never thought she would be sitting with a group of breast cancer survivors in Sioux Falls, South Dakota sharing her incredible story of survival at the South Pole. She never imagined she would see the things she has seen or written a book about her harrowing tale. But she never thought she would have to treat herself for breast cancer at the end of earth.
   Dr. Nielsen says, "Cancer is what gives your life the color and texture. Just like all the other problems you have and you realize when you are on the other end of it even if you don't survive it, as you are going through the process you realize how strong you are, who you care about and what you care about."
    The lone physician discovered a lump in June of '99. She realized it was breast cancer after performing two biopsies on herself in July. She also administered her own chemotherapy. Finally after several delays because of harsh winter conditions and -57C temperatures, the U.S. Air National Guard made an emergency rescue.
    Dr. Nielsen says, "It was different but it was probably easier in a place where you have no choices to make. It's the choices that upset people when they don't know if they are doing the right thing. I knew that I had to do what I did."
     As she speaks to survivors at the Avera Cancer Institute, she is reminded how important it is for your friends and family... your community... to rally around you in the face of adversity.
    She says, "Not to have adversity would be so dull, so grey, so boring. To not have tested yourself wouldn't be an interesting life."
     Dr. Nielsen says almost everyone is capable of almost everything. She says once you get on the other side of adversity, you realize how strong you are."
    Such a great message of strength, endurance, hope... any time.. but especially this time of year, during breast cancer awareness month.

 For more information to go www.averamkennan.org