Meeting Folk

Posted on February 21st, 2008 by Cam.
Categories: Let's talk.

I have talked about ChemoGym a bit I know, but I have to say I am really enjoying it and getting a lot out of it. The fitness thing is good, but I am really enjoying meeting people. I thought I would be meeting a lot of people in similar circumstances during this treatment, but waiting rooms just aren’t conducive to conversation.

So I am meeting a lot of people now and being able to hear their stories as we pump some serious iron. You get to hear of different treatments, different outcomes, different approaches and different attitudes. I guess everyone there is taking a pro-active approach to their situation as they are going to a gym to do all they can to get better and stay healthy.

Getting back to my affiliation with fitness and football, on Tuesday this week I went over to one of the volunteers to introduce myself. I am never sure who is sick and who is well unless they are looking really sick. This guy looked like he was in shape and he seemed to cope ok with the warm-up walk, so I correctly assumed that he was one of the volunteers. “Hi Andrew, I’m Cam”. He asked me a few questions about how long I had been coming. I asked him what his background was. ‘I play for the West Coast Eagles’.

For those of you who don’t live in Australia or have the same intimate knowledge of sporting legends as I do, Andrew Embley is, so I am told, one of the better known football players in the AFL. My questioning him on his background may have been quite a shock to him, so I am glad I held myself back from saying “Who are they?” after he told me which team he played for. He volunteers there each Tuesday on his day off. Football player or not, he is outstanding in my books. I’m yet to find out if he thinks the same of me after our conversation.

So today’s session at the gym was a real workout. I walked about 900 meters, lifted a broomstick, spent some time on a rowing machine, and did 2 minutes on a cross-trainer before slumping in a heap on an exercise bike for a 5-minute burn around, or part the way around, a virtual Tour de France. The 2-minute stretch on a cross-trainer indicated to me that I have got plenty of room for improvement. My chicken legs were screaming for mercy after 20 seconds.

You can see here the obvious areas needing improvement.
You can see here the obvious areas needing improvement. It is amazing though how much tone has returned since doing the reps with the broomstick. And yes, I did find a convenient place to keep my sweat towel. And my drink bottle. And maybe a medicine ball.

13 comments.

Cam Fildes

Comment on February 21st, 2008.

I am so jealous – can you get me an autograph? I am going to watch the footy game down here in Albany on Saturday – Go Eagles!

Lorna Tracey

Comment on February 21st, 2008.

CAM – I am a friend of your Mum and Dad and keep an eye on your website – I prefer not to exercise apart from walking and the odd swim so am impressed by your routine – perhaps you will encourage me to make more effort but no promises! I am rather a lazy Irish procrastinater.
God Bless

Cam

Comment on February 21st, 2008.

Procrastinators Unite!! tomorrow…

John and Glynn

Comment on February 21st, 2008.

G’day Cam
Always keep and eye on your web page and send bouquets your way for your very impressive web mastery!

And yes, we are Eagles supporters but the truth is that Embers now has a new friend!

Our love and thoughts to you and Elizabeth – J&G

Lynne Warrington

Comment on February 22nd, 2008.

Looking at your picture there Cam, I think young Arnold would be a tiny bit jealous.
Keep up that possitive attitude, it’s obviously doing wonders.

Luv to you and Lizz.

ps I wouldn’t have known who Andrew Embley is either.

DAvid

Comment on February 22nd, 2008.

I know who Andrew Embley is. How clever is that? I am watching, reading what you write, talking to Him, seeing howit is.

Guy in the Dockers jumper

Comment on February 23rd, 2008.

I am a staunch Dockers man and not a big fan of WCE, but lets give credit where it is due. Andrew Embley sounds like a pretty cool guy. If he’s bringing a bit of support towards cuz Cam, then I take my hat off to him and pray God will bless Andrew with a good season in 2008*

*Does not include any 2008 Derby

Wife and daughter of the Docker's fan

Comment on February 23rd, 2008.

Naomi insists that it couldn’t be a real man. It’s a drawing Cam, you don’t have us fooled! In fact I have been using a broomstick for years and years and am living proof of such lies. Could it be the chemo perhaps that does the trick?

cons

Comment on February 23rd, 2008.

that man looks a lot like me when I was 41 and a half weeks pregnant! Cam I love the WCE, mostly for watching ben cousin’s and daniel kerr’s rippling muscles, but now I will look for andrew and say to my friends ‘on yeah that andrew guy is really cool, my cousin is, like, best friends with him’ ;-)

South Georgia Redneck

Comment on February 23rd, 2008.

I’ve got two words for you dopey…MARBLE BAGS!

Cam Fildes

Comment on February 24th, 2008.

Don’t worry about the autograph, Cam. I got it yesterday after the game… and Woosha and Suma and Cox & Wirra . . . and the rest of the team…. Go Eagles! But now Embley is my favourite player – he is a REAL hero to be helping at Chemogym.

Cam

Comment on February 24th, 2008.

I am glad you were able to make it to the game Cam- sounds like you wouldn’t have missed it for the world. I hope Embley did ok. I put him through a rigorous training session with the broomstick and gave him a few nuggets of football wisdom before he headed down. You should have seen a noticeable improvement.

Toddy

Comment on February 25th, 2008.

Of course, you have a mother who used to love asking me how many wickets I got when I came home from basketball…

I’m hoping that Embers wins a Ross Glendinning medal in a losing team come next derby…

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