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Highlands Today

A Letter To Her Children

Kathy Waters/Highlands Today

Ginette Carpenter learned about a week ago that she has breast cancer. Now she is trying to schedule surgery and also spread the word to other women about the importance of getting a mammogram.

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By Bill Rettew Jr. | Highlands Today

Published: October 22, 2007

LAKE PLACID — Hers was the simplest of messages – with the gravest of implications.

Ginette Carpenter, of Lake Placid, used neatly printed words to write a letter on both sides of a single page of lined notebook paper – full of bad news and hope – and then gave it to seven of "The Ones I Know Love Me."

She signed it "Love & Hugs" and included a smiley face next to her signature, but the message was anything but a regular letter to family and friends.

"For over a year, I've known I had an odd mass in my left breast (discovered) when in the shower soaping up – maybe the size of a medium olive," wrote Carpenter.

Carpenter was diagnosed with breast cancer on Oct. 12 and told by a physician to schedule surgery right away.

What Carpenter thought was a harmless cyst went undetected as cancer because the self-employed worker had no corporate benefit package with health insurance. She went without a $300 mammogram for more than a year until the lump caused pain.

The single mother of two made her case public during October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, because she wanted to keep other women from delaying a mammogram.

"When you're in the shower soaping up, do a self-breast exam every day, not just once per month," said Carpenter. "If you feel a lump that wasn't there, then go ahead, get a mammogram to give yourself peace of mind. Early detection can prevent the possible spread to the lymph nodes and rest of the body."

The therapeutic masseuse received a mammogram, ultrasound, biopsy and surgical consultation at no fee after recently learning about the "Keys to Life" program from the American Cancer Society.

She is in the process of reapplying for Medicaid, which would pay for the treatment. Surgery, medication and post-surgery care will cost thousands of dollars, although an oncologist might perform the surgery at no cost.

Carpenter earned a college degree in hotel management and had stints in Highlands County as a thrift shop owner, owner of a used bookstore and owner of a baby consignment store that all failed.

"I'm having a hard time making a living in this town," said Carpenter, without apology.

Daughters Krystal, 15, and Kelly, 13, silently watched as their mother told her story.

"They always asked me what would happen to them if something were to happen to me, who would take care of them?" wrote the mother of two teenagers. "I told them nothing will happen. I'm gonna be around for a long time. God is not finished with me yet.

"So, it is what it is, and take it day to day."

Kelly Carpenter then addressed the situation.

"She's strong," said the 13-year old. "I think she'll be fine. She's been through a lot worse than this."

Mother, dressed in a pink blouse, shot back: "I don't know about that. This might be the worst."

The impact of the life-changing letter on the daughters had a real impact.

"So many people have recovered from all types of cancer," wrote the mother. "Can't believe how many survivors are out there."

To offer support, call the Carpenters at 699-0832.

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