Hey guys, thankyou very much for all of your kind words.
I wanted to get on here yesterday to reply to you guys but I attended a Canteen (teens with cancer) fundraiser last night and I didn't bring my laptop. It was quite enjoyable. I was on stage anwsering questions. There's talk that i'll do a speech at the function next year, so perhaps there will be more oppurtunities to come to gain contacts and spread the word some more.

I'm glad you guys have enjoyed the article. Hopefully it's a start to bigger things. I intend on sending the article to some tv stations when I get the chance. Perhaps over the weekend or early next week. All very much worth the effort. If anyone has any advice on who to send it to, please send it on to me.
Thanks again everyone.
Cheers !
Dave

Too bad we don't have a "like" button here! So proud to say I "know" you!! Keep up your good work!!!

Dave, we have just started advertising on telly in Melbourne Listerine - alcohol free....I'm going to email them to try & get them to mention in their ads that mouth wash with alcohol can cause oral cancer to......you are an inspiration darling...xxxx

Thankyou very much Cathi I'm very glad to be your friend as well!

Thanks Jeanna ! Good luck with the ad. great stuff Hopefully you hear back from them.

I started my tattoo on Saturday, that tells the story about my cancer experience, and the things that got me through it. I wish i could post the photo on here. for those who have me on facebook, take a look and let me know what you think

Cheers
Dave

Nicely done mate. Good to put a face with a post : }

Just read your article Dave - great stuff mate.
Well done.

cheers
jon

Hey guys

I just want to ask something, and I�d love to hear what you guys think. I had an idea thrown at me today by my brother. It's just an idea at the moment, but it's got me really excited on the possibilities that it could become..

When I finished treatment, it was the toughest time getting back into physical activity and getting myself fit again mentally and physically. I wasn�t too keen on the idea of going to the gym, because I thought it was a pretty daunting place to go when I was so sickly looking & weak both mentally and physically. I�d lost a lot of weight because of my op, and all things that go with treatment and the whole cancer experience. It took a lot of motivation and help from the people closest to me to get me back out there.

But now, about 6 months later, getting back and getting fit again has turned out to be one of the best things in my recovery. Meeting people who have similar experiences I think has been the best! Being able to talk, and relate with people�s experiences, and understand the struggles we face together has been great for me personally. I�ve met some incredible, inspiring people.

The idea is to become a personalized trainer, who specializes with people who have gone through cancer, and perhaps disabilities. Those who are coming out of a life changing experience, and going into �rehab�, as I called it when I started going to the gym. What do you guys think? Would you personally like the idea of being trained by someone who has gone through similar life-changing experiences? I�ve found it�s frustrating to talk to those who aren�t familiar with your story, and can�t relate. It can be the difference between getting fit again, and back into enjoying life sooner rather than later.

It�s only at the idea stage. I literally heard the idea only about an hour ago when I was at the gym with my brother. But it has already inspired me. And I�m considering leaving my teaching p.e course that I started only 2 months ago, and throwing everything at it. I�ll have to look into tafe courses, and talk to a few trainer�s down at the gym. It�s something that excites me, and I know I�d have a genuine passion for. Something that teaching lacks for me a little bit.

Would love to hear what you guys think

Cheers,

Dave

Oh I like this idea. Yes- there are many people out there who have been through traumatic physical / health experiences who want to get back to where they were but find it hard to get over the initial hump. I felt that way. For instance... I love to do yoga but when I was first recovering I had to spit a lot . It was super embarrasing and I was just trying to get through it but one of the instructors brought attention to me. I found it very humiliating and didn't go back for awhile until I got a little further out from the end of treatment- but I craved the physicla activity and found it incredibly healing and strengthening.. also so good for lossening up all the scar tissue on my neck.

Physical activity is so healing and it really enegizes and get rid of all the toxins from the treatments. Once I got my strength back I was hooked again. I think you could find a lot of like minded clients.
I have friends who are personal trainers and also physical therapists. It takes a little while to develop a client base but once you do you get referrals and long term clients. I think it is probably a lot like other therapies where you will need to get licenced and build a client base.

If you feel passionately about this and feel that it is your calling you should go for it. I remember you were very athletic so it sounds like the perfect combo for you!

KATE

Hi Dave, With the number of cancer survivors out there, it sounds like you might really be on to something good! You may want to talk with local physical and occupational therapists. They would know about the interest level of patients they are assisting in the transition from patient to survivor. Also a straw poll of survivors here on the OCF forum might be able to help you closely define a demographic on top of the target market of cancer survivors.

I have been mulling over career changes, myself. Because of the saga I've been through the past few months, I am considering returning to graduate school to work on an advanced degree in occupational therapy. I would love to do some creative fiction and non-fiction writing, as well. I love being an artist. But, I would like to find something that's more stable and involves service to others. I teach art one night a week at a youth detention facility. But, it doesn't always make as much of a difference as I would like.

Good luck, Dave! It sounds like your heart is in it...which is a good first step towards success!

It's a great idea Dave, I'm excited to hear more about it, keep us updated!

As a gym rat myself I dig it

Eric