Call Sign May 06

Call Sign May 2006 Page 14
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blood was withdrawn from one arm and the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 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
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 way back to
normality
Back on the
ski slopes
that he set
as his target
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
Don’t Miss the Private Hire
and Taxi Exhibition!
Over 3 days at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena
Tuesday 23 May to Thursday 25 May ‘06
Pre-register for free entry at:
Online at www.phtm.co.uk
Or ring 0161 688 7777
Open from 10.30am (late night Wed till 8)
Ricoh Arena, Phoenix Way, Foleshill, Coventry