Surf's Up For Breast Cancer Patient

She Hits Waves, Even In Winter, And Works 12-Hour Shifts As ER Nurse

(CBS)  "It's the peace of mind. It's the get up and go, it's that indomitable spirit, it's my parents' upbringing," she chuckled.

"It's just excellent to see her so spirited," Erica says, "even when she's just feeling in the pits, you know? I definitely think it's changed some views on life and how to go about things."

Husband jerry just wants her to be happy, saying, "She's doing her surfing and that's her therapy."

"So you understand?" Syuler asked.

"I have to," Jerry responded.

Gidget says her doctor didn't "really recommend" surfing but, "I said, 'I can't help it. I gotta go out there.' "

She adds that it's a chance she's willing to take: "That's what life's about. You have to take chances and risks. I wouldn't get to where I was if I didn't take chances and risks."

Turns out, Gidget won two divisions of the competition.

Her co-workers at the hospital are selling have started making surfboard pins with breast cancer ribbons on them, which they take donations for. The proceeds are going to a breast cancer-related charity they haven't chosen yet.