Day 31 - About Gillian Alton

Oct 31st, 2024 - 

As this year’s Tour de Elora finishes, so too does this blog of my cancer journey. What a better way to finish this series than to talk about my last day as a cancer patient.

This is the front of the Grand River Cancer Centre in Kitchener. It is a bittersweet memory for me. I have so much gratitude for all of the staff who work in this building. They are the kindest, most compassionate people I have ever met, but as soon as I walk through those doors I always have flashbacks to some really painful memories.

I remember my last visit to this building. It was in 2021. I hadn’t seen my oncologist in person during COVID, because they were prioritizing patients in active treatment for in person visits - totally understandable! My oncologist didn’t feel comfortable discharging me until she could examine me in person one last time. I arrived and a volunteer was at the door providing hand sanitizer and ensuring everyone had a medical mask. Somehow, the hand sanitizer bounced and hit me in the eye. The poor young student volunteer just started shouting “oh no! Oh no!” My eyes were burning and watering and I couldn’t see very well. Staff started running from all over to figure out what was happening. I was laughing (and crying because of the sanitizer). At that moment I knew my last visit would always be memorable!

My oncologist and I shared a good cry together at our last visit. She had been by my side through it all. My last words to her were “I really hope I never have to see you again!” She laughed and said me too!