Ex-husband sues doctor rescued from Antarctica over book's abuse allegations

BOWLING GREEN - A doctor who treated herself for breast cancer while working at a research station in Antarctica was sued by her former husband, who claimed she defamed him in a book about her 1999 rescue. <br> <br> The lawsuit seeks damages of up to $5 million from Jerri Nielsen and Talk Miramax Books. <br> <br> Jay Nielsen, a physician, said in the lawsuit that the book falsely claims he emotionally abused her and physically abused their children. <br> <br> Jerri Nielsen of Youngstown, Ohio, found a lump in her breast in May 1999 while living with 41 researchers at Amundsen-Scott South Pole Research Center in Antarctica. <br> <br> She treated herself until October, when temperatures increased enough for a plane to bring her back to the United States. <br> <br> Afterward, Jerri Nielsen wrote &#34;Ice Bound: A Doctor&#39;s Incredible Battle for Survival at the South Pole.&#34; <br> <br> Jay Nielsen declined to discuss the lawsuit when reached Wednesday. Jerri Nielsen could not be reached for comment Thursday. <br> <br> Hilary Bass, a publicist for Talk Miramax Books, said the company was unaware of the lawsuit, filed Dec. 31, and declined comment. <br> <br> The Nielsens were classmates at the Medical College of Ohio in Toledo and married in 1974. They divorced in 1998. They had three children, and custody was awarded to Jay Nielsen. <br> <br> The lawsuit said Jerri Nielsen falsely wrote that her then-husband once &#34;murdered a domestic animal&#34; in front of her and their daughter, denied her visitation with the children and intentionally alienated her from them. <br> <br> The complaint said the allegations led to &#34;a significant number of patient cancellations in his medical practice.&#34; <br> <br> <br> Copyright 2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<br>

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/1/203422