A second retirement for Joan
There is a small band of individuals who have been working at the LJMC since it first opened in 1993. Joan Gardner belongs to the even smaller band who started working for the centre before it even opened. It was therefore appropriate that there was a sizeable gathering of staff to bid her farewell as she retired at the end of September.
Joan initially trained as a therapy radiographer and worked at the Westminster Hospital in the early 50s before taking a break to raise her family.
In 1974, she read an article in the national press about a shortage of radiographers. She got in touch with the radiotherapy department at Mount Vernon Hospital to enquire about returning to work and was instantly offered a job.
Joan sampled retirement for one week in 1993 before receiving a request to return to Mount Vernon as a volunteer to help with a new service that was being established.
Her first job was to sort out record cards for fellow radiographer and counsellor, Judy Young, the manager of the fledgling service that was to become the LJMC.
Her next job was to record the number of leaflets that were taken by patients each week. “In the early days, we didn’t know whether patients even wanted leaflets about cancer and its treatments,” said Joan. “It was really important to know which leaflets were being taken so we knew what patients wanted.”
Once the LJMC was opened proper, Joan moved to work in the Drop-in centre where many hundreds of patients will have experienced her kindness and support, coupled with a twinkle in her eye.
When her husband, Bill, retired, Joan recruited him to work as a volunteer at the LJMC. Joan was adamant that she didn’t want Bill under her feet all day and it was entirely appropriate, given his name, that he should become the LJMC gardener.
“It all backfired though,” Joan said with a laugh. “He ended up working at the LJMC on the same day as I did so I didn’t get any peace!”
From healthcare professional to LJMC volunteer, over nearly sixty years Joan has witnessed many changes in the way cancer patients are treated. “We’ve gone from treating the cancer to treating the whole person,” she explained. “From early scepticism, there is a much wider acceptance of this holistic approach and it’s been a privilege to watch things change – for the better.”
Joan has also watched the LJMC services grow. “The LJMC has matured,” she said. “There’s a lot more available for patients, particularly with so many more sources of information on the Internet. It’s become more sophisticated.
“As services have developed, so has the number of patients we see so it’s a lot busier and systems have had to become more streamlined to cope.”
For all the changes, Joan maintains that the LJMC hasn’t changed a bit. “It’s still all about looking after people affected by cancer, giving them time and space.”
Tuesdays won’t be the same, although our waistlines may improve. Joan was the arch cake maker at the LJMC – no event went unmarked by one of Joan’s cakes and, even if there wasn’t anything particular to celebrate, she would bring in a sumptuous sponge for all to share.
We will miss Joan’s good humour and friendship at the LJMC and wish her well as she puts her feet up for the second time.
Last updated: 22 March, 2011
