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I was remarkably fortunate  to perform for and meet some remarkable people in the last while. The University Health Network Nursing Forum was kind enough to ask me to be a keynote speaker twice. I must admit that as an actor having the chance to reform is always a pleasure, hitting the stage at 8:15 AM two days in a row is a bit of a challenge and involves, for me at least, a good dose of caffeine. My talk  Adventures In Patient Centred Care, was very well received and I got to meet some remarkable nurses who shared their stories with me. My sincere thanks to Carolyn McPhee, Joy Richards, Nadine Cross and everyone at UHN Nursing.

The mighty Gord Oxley accompanied me during the second performance and provided some awesome technical support.

Humber River Regional Hospital had invited me to perform for nurses week as well and I was thrilled to get the chance to follow Joy Richards on stage. In addition to Adventures in Patient Centered Care, I also performed selections from NormVsCancer. It was an absolute blast to perform NormVsCancer again. There were 200 very enthusiastic and generous people in the audience. Once again I was blown away by the honesty, integrity and positive energy of the folks I was presenting to. Medical professionals shared their personal stories with me afterwards, not just as folks working in healthcare, but as people who are patients with our own struggles, challenges and victories. It was remarkably moving to be a part of it.

Wherever you are and whatever your story is, I wish you the best.

Rob

Hey Everyone! So glad to do a signing at Mount Sinai today. It was a blast to meet olks and sign some books. Funny it was almost 6 years ago to do the day that I had surgery in this hospital. Funny how life works. Hope your day is awesome.

Hello Everyone, I am thrilled to do a book signing this Friday in Toronto.

Love to see you there…just come on out and say hello.

Here are the detes..

Robert Hawke will be signing copies of his acclaimed book
Kicking Cancer’s Ass: A Light-Hearted Guide to the Fight of Your Life,
Friday February 3rd from noon until 2 pm.
Indigo Spirit, Mount Sinai Hospital, Main Floor

Meet the Author!

For more information contact Robert Hawke at robhawke@gmail.com

  “Love your book “Kicking Cancer’s Ass”, brilliant! Diagnosed in May 2011,    will be buying it for every cancer patients I know.” 

@cheryl_savage, Cancer Survivor

Many Thanks Cheryl! I really appreciate it.  Rob

Hey Everyone,

Yesterday was a very thrilling day. I had the pleasure of attending the First Annual Symposium on Patient Centered Care. It was held in Toronto at One King West and was a very exciting day with many medical professionals talking about the importance of patient centered care and how we can have patients more at the forefront of the concerns of healthcare. It filled me with so much hope and excitement to be in the room with so many highly qualified and committed people. The event was organized by very good friends of mine Donna Sherman and Jane Hollett. I was absolutely honored to speak on a panel with Nadine Cross, Gail Mitchell and Dante Morra. As a cancer survivor it is thrilling to see people make the effort to make the health care system more open to the concerns of patients.

I am honored to be a “positive shit disturber” in the system with such fine people.

Hello Everyone, 

I am very happy to share an article written by guest blogger David Haas. He is a cancer patient advocate and as a bonus, loves to rock climb. He wrote this excellent article on cancer patients and the benefits of exercise. Take it away David…

The Value of Diet and Exercise During Cancer Treatment

A diagnosis of cancer can be one of the most challenging events in many peoples’ lives. While it’s important to follow the advice of an oncologist or other healthcare professional, there are many steps that patients can take to improve their recovery time and quality of life.

Many types of cancer like mesothelioma and colon cancer respond well to a healthy diet. Many mesothelioma doctors can provide referrals to nutritionists who can help patients design a diet to meet their individual needs.

It’s essential for cancer patients to avoid processed foods. Many processed foods contain high levels of sodium, cholesterol, and processed sugars. These can impair the immune system, increasing recovery time. Consumption of foods with high levels of sodium can cause a rise in blood pressure levels, leading to an increased risk of stroke or heart attack.

It’s also important to avoid foods that contain excessive amounts of sugar or high fructose corn syrup. These sweeteners can cause problems with the body’s metabolism. Long-term intake of processed sugars can lead to diabetes, a serious metabolic disorder. Diabetes impacts all parts of the human body, ranging from the immune system to the nervous system. Many diabetics will experience longer recovery times and fatigue during chemotherapy.

Cancer patients should eat lean cuts of meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Consumption of cheese should be limited due to the high sodium and cholesterol levels. In addition, a doctor may recommend a whole-food multivitamin or fish oil to provide additional nutrition.

Exercise can also be beneficial to many cancer patients. Yoga is a type of exercise that combines deep breathing exercises, meditation, and choreographed body movements. Yoga is a great way to improve flexibility and body tone. Since most yoga exercises are low impact, they are appropriate for older patients and people with reduced mobility. Yoga can also provide peace of mind for anyone undergoing cancer treatment therapy.

Swimming is also excellent for chemotherapy patients. Swimming provides an excellent cardiovascular workout without putting excessive stress on any individual part of the body. Many fitness trainers can provide customized exercises for individual patients.

Walking or bike riding can also be a great form of exercise for cancer patients. A 30-minute walk a day can help clear the mind, improve blood flow, and reduce stress. Reducing stress can help improve recovery times, improve mood, and increase one’s happiness.