Romana Rogoshewska is a gifted artist and accomplished linguist with a Ph.D. in English literature. Her life has been both rich and adventurous, marked by prestige as well as personal achievement. Once married to a cousin of King Charles, she nevertheless forged her own path, building two distinguished careers. As a professional painter and former linguist with the United Nations, she continues to embody both creativity and intellectual depth.
Facing Cancer
Romana first came to the JGH when she was treated for an ovarian mass. “The team at the JGH monitored me closely, and thankfully the mass was benign,” she recalls. A few years later, however, she was diagnosed with colorectal cancer and once again turned to the JGH for care. “Their attention and compassion were extraordinary.”
The diagnosis came as a shock. “I was not prepared at all,” Romana says. “I did not expect it. And then, in a heartbeat, my whole life changed.”
Her fears were compounded by an earlier traumatic experience: at 26, complications under anesthesia nearly cost her life and left her with lasting anxiety. Although her surgeons at the JGH reassured her that anesthesia methods had advanced considerably, Romana remained deeply apprehensive and postponed surgery for several months.
“It was a choice: either risk dying on the operating table on Monday, or give myself a few more months in my garden…”
Art as Therapy
While waiting, Romana turned to painting. “For me, painting is healing. Art is therapy. It carries me through the darkest times. I realized I wasn’t ready to die.”
In the weeks leading up to surgery, she completed five large canvases, which she donated to the JGH. “Literally the day before surgery, I delivered the last of the paintings.”
Still, the morning of the operation was filled with dread. “I truly believed I would not come home. I put all my affairs in order—my will, everything.”
As they wheeled her into the operating room, Romana was struck by the sight before her. “The medical team was standing at attention, like guardians at the gate.”
She felt as though she had reached a threshold between life and death. But then came a moment of clarity: “I had the dream team of surgeons and doctors at the JGH.”
When she awoke, Romana was momentarily uncertain whether she was alive or had crossed into another realm.
A Turning Point
Romana considers surviving surgery and being introduced to Hope & Cope a true turning point in her life. She still remembers walking up to the Hope & Cope Wellness Centre for the first time.
“I thought, ‘What a beautiful home and garden,’” she says. But her heart was heavy. “I came in with a negative attitude. I was high on cope. I’ve always been good at coping, but I was really low on hope.”
That soon changed.
“My commitment to Hope & Cope goes back to my first visit a few months after colorectal surgery. After a few physiotherapy sessions and connecting with others, I felt the complete opposite. The people are beautiful, the staff, and the garden. My interactions with patients here changed my point of view.”
During her recovery, she also sought professional help to work through many traumas that have shaped her life— childhood diagnosis of myasthenia gravis (a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease), a miscarriage, the loss of a stepchild to a brain tumour, divorce, and the end of a long-term relationship.
“Healing has been a long journey,” she reflects. With counselling and her connection to Hope & Cope, she has reached what she calls the “striving stage.” Ready to give back, she looks forward to contributing her time and energy to Hope & Cope and offering support to others navigating the challenges of cancer.
A Mother’s Philosophy
Romana carries with her the last words her mother ever spoke to her: Her mother had noticed the worry on Romana’s face when she learned of her cancer diagnosis and wanted her to keep her eyes on life’s beauty.
“Go out there and look at that beautiful day,” she said. To Romana, those words have become a philosophy: don’t waste another day worrying.
“Carry the message of hope,” she says, “because none of us knows what tomorrow will bring, regardless of the diagnosis.”
Art as the Candle of Hope
For Romana, art has become both expression and offering. “If my paintings can touch somebody else’s life, I see it as passing the candle of hope.” Patients and staff at the Segal Cancer Centre often tell her that her paintings lift their spirits.
Her dedication to Hope & Cope has only deepened over time. By sharing her cancer journey and her mother’s message, she has found that she can inspire others. In turn, she feels enriched by the community she has discovered at Hope & Cope.
Several of Romana’s works now brighten and inspire spaces at the JGH and beyond:
- “The Healer’s Garden” resides in the Radiation Oncology Pavilion
- “The Seasons” can be found on the 8th floor of the Segal Cancer Centre
- “The Lotus” graces the Colorectal Cancer Surgery unit on the 3rd floor.
In addition, Romana donated “Phoenix Rising,” to the headquarters of Colorectal Cancer Canada at Westmount Square. This powerful triptych acts as a symbol of strength, renewal, and resilience.
Now, out of gratitude, she hopes to dedicate a new painting to Hope & Cope.
Romana says, “I see it as a gift of well-being and a source of comfort for all who encounter it.”
If Romana’s story resonates with you, consider supporting Hope & Cope. Visit the Wellness Centre, volunteer, or make a donation to help more patients find strength through community and creativity.
