Dr. In S. Pole Rescue Loses Cancer Battle

(CBS/AP)  Dr. Jerri Nielsen FitzGerald, whose struggle against breast cancer during a winter at the South Pole captivated the world, has died. She was 57.

Her husband, Thomas FitzGerald, says she died Tuesday at their home in Southwick, Mass. The cause was cancer.

Nielsen was the only doctor at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station when she found a lump in her breast in June 1999, raising fears of cancer. Weather conditions didn't permit a rescue, so she performed a biopsy on herself with the help of staff.

She began treating herself using drugs dropped by parachute in the dark polar winter in July, in a mission documented by CBS News.

Despite her illness Nielsen kept busy with her duties up until she left the South Pole, her sister-in-law, Diana Cahill, told CBS News in 1999.

"She didn't have time to focus on her condition at all. She's a very giving person," Cahill said.

Following the dramatic airlift, she told The Vindictor newspaper she wanted to return to the Antarctic.

"It was such a wonderful place. I still love it. I would do it again. Even knowing what happened to me, it was the best year of my life," Nielsen told the newspaper.

Her cancer went into remission until 2005.

[bonnrdrg4]

I would like to send my condolences to the family of Dr. Jerri Nielson Fitzgerald, I am a admirer of hers, I had hoped to meet her one day. I am very interested in getting more information on Dr. Fitzgerald such as her date of Birth ect. If anyone has info please write me at c/o Robert m. Hanson 4725 S. Seeley , Chicago, Il. 60609 1st floor Front. i felt I have gotten to know her in a way of reading her book twice. To her family, I would like to extend my deepest sympathy.

THANK YOU,

Robert M. Hanson

[John_Merritt]

What a truly gifted and courageous woman. If more women were like her, this world would be a better place; and probably saner as well. Rest well, see ya on the other side.

[mollydtt]

My sincere condolences to her family. She was an inspiration to all of us---I remember this story from 10 years ago as if it were yesterday. I only hoped that she had been cured forever. You can tell from the picture (above) that she loved the Antarctic.

[ssilver567]

My condolences to Dr. Fitzgerald's family. What a brave lady! I was very sorry to hear about her death; she seemed like such a good and generous physician.

It's wonderful that her experience in the South Pole, minus of course, her illness, was a great adventure for her. I agree with Credibility2 that we need to be sensative to the family, and not make comments that will hurt feelings. This was a real heroic woman whose story has a lot to teach us.

[credibility2]

God bless her and comfort her family. A gifted scientist and courageous woman.

To babooph, your comment is insensitive and dismissive. Obviously you've never been diagnosed with cancer and forced to live a life of uncertainty, not knowing when it might end because remission is often temporary. At least she accomplished much in her all too short life.

[peacefulperson]

My sympathies to Jerri's family in Boston and in Salem, Ohio. I hope she was able to reconcile with her children and that they will have happy memories of their mother and be comforted by her bravery and love for them.

[babooph]

She had another 10 years -seems the effort was worth it.