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My name is Ardyth Carpenter, and in 1982, I went to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, after experiencing a TIA. While there, Mayo’s work up discovered a malignancy in my right breast. I had no ill effects from the “mini-stroke” and the clinic was just a 75 mile drive from my home in Mankato but this began a 30 year journey many times through snow and icy roads. I was just 62 years old and still working at an insurance company I loved and had no plans to retire.
My daughters wanted me to be treated at Mayo and knew I would receive the best care and state of the art treatment there. After my mastectomy, I tried to sleep but my roommate in the next bed cried throughout the night. By morning, the kindest nurses got me up and walked me down the hall to other patients who had mastectomies and we visited and comforted one another. This experience gave me the confidence I would need in the long battle with cancer and paved the way to walk on a path that would be one without worry and anxiety backed by the Mayo knowledge and expertise I could always count on.
After the scars healed, Tamoxifen would be my drug of choice but over the years I would undergo 17 more malignant recurrences on the same side. Regular rechecks back to Mayo would tell the treatment story when newer drugs were prescribed and by 2000, cancer free, I celebrated my 80th birthday with a big party of friends and family and took my daughters to Europe. I was strong and felt very blessed. Over the years they have told my story often to give courage and hope to their friends who would be diagnosed with breast cancer. My four daughters recommended Mayo believing as I did, that Mayo offered the best hope for a cure and we came to view breast cancer as very treatable and curable. They even came to know my wonderful oncologists and new doctors who carried my 10 inch thick chart. One of my favorites was the doctor who treated me for years and on one visit tugged my very gray hair and exclaimed, “Oh, its real —not a wig!” — thinking that I had lost my hair to chemo. We both laughed and this distinguished doctor never failed in his personal and genuine manner toward me with my long history at Mayo Clinic.
By 2004 my doctor discovered thyroid cancer and it was treated successfully without surgery, but the breast cancer had returned and the chemotherapies were exhausted so it was decided radiation therapy would be in order. At age 84 I underwent the radiation which resulted with some lymphedema in my arm which was partially relieved by a pump. I was able to do the gardening that I loved and some travel without any recurrence of the breast cancer, but in 2007 a suspicious lesion on my face proved to be melanoma.
I returned to Mayo where incredible surgeons in dermatology removed two large melanomas with hundreds of the finest stitches. They were painful but also invisible — as though I had a lovely facelift! When I returned for the melanoma follow up the doctors and nursed greeted me so enthusiastically and celebrated the tremendous success of my surgery. Today, I have the expertise of Mayo Clinic right here in Mankato where they care for my medical needs with the thorough knowledge that is Mayo. My relationship with Mayo has been a long and dedicated journey to recovery. Over 30 years I never worried about the outcome and I enjoy life at age 92. With faith and gratitude I gladly share my story with anyone who suffers from cancer—Mayo is there for us.
Amazing, such a strong woman.
I pray that i never get cancer, but if I do, i’ll consider moving near a Mayo Clinic.
What a remarkable woman you are!!!!!
You are an amazing woman who has endured much in your walk on this journey. It is a blessing to be so inspiring to others, but more importantly, your faith in GOD and courage is a beautiful seed you have instilled in me. Mother, I love you more than words can say!
You always maintained a PMA, even back in the day when I was a Pru Agent. You’ve been an inspiration to a lot of us Ardie! The staff at the Mayo are second to none. Have a Merry Christmas and 20 more Happy New Years! Tom and Donna
Thank you for sharing. I very much enjoyed reading it.
What a wonderful testimony to the wonderful doctors and the Mayo Clinic. I can attest to the greatness and quality care that the Mayo Clinic is known for and totally agree with this amazing woman that it is the best place: in the world !! We started going to Mayo 30 years ago and drive the 11 hour drive each way from OKLA. to get the best care ever. As a result of going there every year, when our daughter Susan was diagnosed in Tulsa OK with Stage III breast cancer in 2011, we knew where we would take her. That very day we got in touch with our amazing doctor at the Mayo, who put us in touch with the breast center that day, and she was seen 2 days later!!!! Words cannot express our gratitude for the whole wonderful experience with everything that followed. It would take too long to tell all I feel about the Mayo and the entire staff; I can just say….it started 30 years ago when God directed us to the Mayo Clinic ….we knew without a doubt, where to take our 45 year old single mother daughter who is now cancer free!!!
Mrs Carpenter, Ma’am, you are a truly remarkable lady. Thank you for sharing your story – you have undoubtedly given hope and encouragement to many, and that is the most priceless gift we cancer survivors can give those who follow us through the ‘Cancer Tunnel’. I’m a 12-year Testicular Cancer survivor,in Northern Ireland, when I was presented for treatment the oncologists’ best and most generous assessment was that I had less than six weeks to live … thanks to their expertise and devotion to duty I’m still here 12.5 years later.
Ma’am, may you live long and prosper!!!! Thank you!
A great story and such a postive attitude. What a special lady.
I am a Canadian, living in Western Canada and have so often heard of the wonderful work done at Mayo Clinic. So far, I have had fairly good health and have not needed the resources or care of Mayo Clinic, but would not hesitate to have a consultation if I needed to. Thanks to the caring personell there who have work tirelessly to help those who seek help there. Keep up the good work….so many rely on you and always will. ML
You are a beautiful, courageous and inspiring woman! You have been through so much! The responses here are also very encouraging, thanks to you who have written here for your inspiration! I am a breast cancer survivor of 6 1/2 years and look forward to many more healthy years in front of me!
Mrs. Carpenter(Ardie, if I may….) you are an inspiration!
Certainly, Mayo has had a lot to do with your remarkable
recoveries from the various cancers you have had over the years.
But, your positive attitude and outlook on life in general had
to have helped along the way!! You have always been such a wonderful and fun person to be around…..thank goodness for Mayo,
and thank goodness for the beautiful person that you are!!
I am glad for you. I say based on my sour experience with Mayo clinic, myo may have there for you, but not for US, as you have stated, looks like they have a backdoorr to get in!!
I’m sorry you feel your experience at Mayo Clinic was unsatisfactory. We have an Office of Patient Affairs, and if you wish, you can call and talk to them about your concerns.
Minnesota: 507-284-4988
Florida: 904-953-2019
Arizona: 480-342-2651
God bless this shinning lady and the Mayo Clinic who offers grate cures and warmth to its patients!
Amazing history , a brave woman and an excellent medical facility which proved itself again and again .
You truly are very courageous to go through all of this. It is unfortunate that the Mayo Clinic isn`t informed of Immunocal..which heals chronic diseases. I was diagnosed with a incurable jaw cancer which had no cure whatsover. The doctor said once it would be full blown and enter my salvia glands, I would die quickly and that this kind of cancer, thankfully gave no pain & the best was to write my will. So I went home not discouraged as am a Iroquois Medicine Woman & I said that I would find a way. I did. Immunocal..same product that healed Celine Dion`s our famous singer`s husband Rene Angill who had throat cancer & was healed with Immunocal. So I said I had nothing to lose & that was 3 yrs ago. Yesterday, I went to see a specialiste for the jaw & he said, Madam, you have nothing! You are normal, there is absolutely nothing! No infection, no inflamation, no disease! I was elated!!! My personal doctor was amazed when I went to see him.. when I had started taking this. He had thorough blood tests made, bone scan & heart as »I had had a stroke.. All the tests came back fine..as if I had never been ill, bone scan was perfect and heart stroke..never showed up on the test..it was as if I never had one..he made me copies of all the tests to show as proof and told me to keep on taking Immunocal and the supporting products »I brought to him for his opinion..he said all was great. Plus it is Canadan approved in the CPS Medical book of doctors and pharmacists and FDA in the RedBook. You can imagine how my doctor is going to be so happy to see that my jaw is fine, no more blood out of mysinus, and tinnitus…gone! I lost 70lbs. I am called a Miracle..and I am! You know chemicals may keep us alive but never cures us..natural products do if arrived on time. We never heard of cancer etc to be rampant in my time ..am 69 and by the way..people think am 49! Plus, my hair has thickend, my eyelashes and eyebrows have grown back..plus my white hair is turning black. It is amazing..go see..! They are even having great results with autisim with children! I have no diabetis, no more heart problems,cholesterol,high blood pressure, kidney,intestinal, digestive, and no more incontinence..operation cancelled. Walking with no cane, bones of my feet straightening out, and am wearing no glasses..only when I drive as it is written I must. Plus am born partially deaf! Well, my hearing since a year has been getting better..for the first time in my life I heard snow crunch under my boots..I can hear the birds sing and my cats meow. My hearing is getting better & better.. my ostheporisis is practically non-existing..was supposed to get a knee operation which I don`t need anymore..the other day as I was walking..I heard my knee snap..right into place! I still limp a little but at least I need no cane! I will never quit taking this..God`s Pharmacy is better than Man`s chemical one. Please look into this!
We are so happy to hear that you are doing well. Thank you for your note.
Thank you for sharing your story! You are a strong and courageous woman!
What a strong and amazing women. She is also very sweet, as I have been luck to meet.
That is truly amazing what you have been through. God Bless you! My Mother had a very long journey of cancer as well. She started in 1984 with jaw cancer. Doctor gave her 5 years to live. 1995 she had over-ion cancer again gave her 5 years to live. 1999 she had a phen-phen bypass graft. The arteries in her right leg needed to be in large. 2003 her right leg turned blue and they had to amputate her leg. 5 days before Thanksgiving 2005 she told that her jaw cancer came back. She had the same doctor and he was amazed that it came back. She did not want to do nothing. I cried and begged her but she refused. April 2006 she passed away. I just fought cancer myself. October 2009 I was diagnosed with rectal cancer. A 3 1/2 tumor in my rectum was pushing up against my vaginal. Nov 20, 2009 I had to have emergency surgery. I had to have a colostomy bag. I dealt with infections, blood clots and my surgery was postponed till July 2010 to remove the tumor. I went threw 6 weeks of chemo and radiation. I got a bad infection and had to go in the OR every week for a simple surgery for 3 months. Labor Day 2011 I had to have another emergency surgery for a bowel obstruction. I almost died. I was on life support for 7 days and came out of it. I now suffer from lymph edema. It is so painful and never wish this on anyone. I can barley walk. It is getting harder and harder for me to walk. I keep strong and I am not going to give up! I stay positive. My legs have come a long way and I know that they will get better here soon for me one day. I have NO family. All alone and I am trying to make it. I have two friends who help me when they can. God Bless all of you that have gotten cancer and have beaten it!
Rosie, Yes cancer is no easy thing to go thru, stay strong and positive, as you have been.
Amazing what the body can heal. I will be thinking of you.