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That is exactly what Brian Tredler
(D79) is and has to be. Having been diagnosed with Myeloma,
a type of bone marrow cancer, he was determined to improve his
chances of surviving the disease by remaining ‘totally focussed’
throughout the long course of treatment. Brian takes up the story: "It all started with, quite literally, a chip on my shoulder after a ski-ing accident in January 2004," he told Call Sign. "The Austrian consultant was not happy with the way things had gone and told me to seek specialist help immediately upon my return to the UK, where a blood test revealed I had Myeloma, cancer of the blood cells. This is where there are too many white cells, which then eat away at the red cells." Brian continued: "I was quickly referred to a specialist unit at the Whittington Hospital and underwent heavy doses of chemotherapy lasting four months. During the chemo, every strand of hair on your body falls out leaving you looking and feeling like a plucked chicken," he laughed recalling the memory that was far from pleasant at the time! "I also needed a stem-cell transplant to sort out my red cells. This was done at the UCH in Gower Street and under an arrangement with the nearby Grafton Hotel called ‘ambulatory care stay’, I attended the hospital daily for blood to be taken and cryogenically stored until I was fit enough to have the transplant. The first course was unsuccessful, so I returned to the UCH and underwent the whole procedure again," he mused. Brian described in graphic detail how his blood was withdrawn from one arm and the treated |
When you are told that you have a life-threatening illness, it needs a response that is going to give every chance of survival. This is how DaC driver Brian Tredler survived Myeloma… TOTALLY FOCUSSED!
Brian now in remission and on his back to
normality |
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blood returned to his body through the other. The daily checks on his blood and chemo levels were monitored on what he referred to as his ‘Walkman’ machine. As he moved around attached to the medical marvel, passers-by would ask if he was ‘wired for sound’ - a reference to the 1980’s Cliff Richard hit. "There were times of great physical pain, times when I felt really ill and unable to eat or drink," he told us. "My immune system was at its weakest and I had round-the-clock nursing. When your immune system is at 5%, there is a good chance that you could die," he added, "but slowly my immunity built up with high protein drinks and milk-shakes." Brian told Call Sign how his steady improvement raised his physical and mental elation and |
how he was advised by nursing staff to
remain ‘totally focussed’ on a dream, something to look forward
to when his treatment was completed. "I do not wish to sound selfish, but my achievable goal was to survive and ski again and that’s what kept me going. Even my family came second in that equation," he recalled. Brian did quickly admit though that wife Frankie and children Daniel, Nicky and Rachel had been great supporters, as had his close friends. "I would also like to acknowledge the efforts of Professor Parker at the Whittington and my medical team at the UCH for all their help." said Brian. "I’ve been on Dial-a-Cab for 28 years and now look forward to many more," he said with a broad grin! © Call Sign Magazine MM6 |
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