For this assignment on memoirs or biographies (ect) I have decided I would like to read "Ice Bound", by Dr. Jerri Nielson. So far in the book, I know that she is an emergency room doctor who has decided to take up a job in Antarctica as the doctor for the scientists working out there. She escaped a 23- year marriage of domestic abuse in which her kids were turned against her and her life turned into shambles. The way that Nielson describes the abuse is really sad and I really see how such a thing could happen to anyone. "Another time, he strangled the family dog right in front of me and our daughter, to teach us a lesson. He later told my mom how he'd watched the look of disbelief on the dog's face as he squeezed its throat"(18). To me this is horrible and disgusting, and I don't know how anybody could stay with someone like this. Then she tells us, "If someone with my profile walked into the ER I would have spotted her immediately, but I could not see her in the mirror. Others noticed, however"(18). I think that this is what probably does happen with a lot of cases of domestic abuse or other things. The problem is clearly visible with others, but not noticeable when it is happening to you. I think it was probably very hard for her to get out of such a relationship, especially at the loss of her three kids, whom she loved so much.
There are also a lot of things in this book that remind me of my mom. My mom is also an emergency room doctor, and I see a lot of things she talks about her work that Nielson talks about in this book. She is describing a patient who had tried to take his life by shooting himself, and says, "But I knew the man would go to surgery and I would never know his story, probably never know his fate"(4). This reminds me of my mom, who always does her best to get follow ups on patients she has because it must be really frustrating not to know if somebody you treated lives or dies. Another thing that Nielson has that is similar to my mom is her love for excitement. "But the upside was that it would be a hell of an adventure, with plenty of time to read and study, explore and reflect"(24). My mom loves adventure, but she also loves to read. It is one of her favorite things to do. My mom actually suggested this book to me and I can see why, it is very much like herself.
Side note Mrs Froehlich: Paragraphs don't show up on the blog, this is 2 paragraphs, the second one starting at "There are also..."
Side note 32 Mrs Froehlich: I decided I could just put extra spaces in between paragraphs =)
