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October 15, 2009
In Tred's Own Words - 10
The day I was to leave for Alaska to tape the last episode of the season for my show, The Best and Worst of Tred Barta on Versus, I woke up with a gimpy left leg. My toes had no power, and I could lift my leg only halfway up. I went to my doctor who immediately ordered an MRI. Shortly thereafter, my problem worsened, prompting me to drive straight to the emergency room. Approximately six hours later, I lay on a gurney, paralyzed from the waist down. Since then, I’ve been in three hospitals; all the doctors initially misdiagnosed this as a spinal stroke. Thankfully, I actually have an extremely weird (but treatable) blood disease called Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia, a rare (notice I still don’t do anything normal) form of non-Hodgkins lymphoma that causes the blood to thicken. Medical oddsmakers rate regaining use of my legs at about 20 to 30 percent. Thank God I still have great upper-body strength, will still shoot my bows, do battle with offshore game fish and should even be able to ride horses again. But make no mistake: I have blood cancer. And I am crippled. I ask for no sympathy, but I beg you to listen to what this adventure has taught me in life. During this crisis I found myself in the darkest hole imaginable—an abyss of self-pity. Quite frankly, in all my travels, this is the worst place I’ve ever been. But I swear to you that I am pulling myself out of this hellhole because of my core philosophy—the same philosophy that drives my TV show, the Barta Blue Marlin Classic and the Barta Boys & Girls Club Billfish Tournament. Without my faith in God, the relentless support of my wife, Anni, and the kindness of hundreds of thousands of e-mails from my friends and detractors, I never would have made it this far. Throughout my life I’ve tried to help other people. It was easy. I was healthy and it seemed the right thing to do. Now, do many doctors, nurses, physical therapists and friends are helping me. I know for the first time in my life what it means to receive such kindness and it’s overwhelming. So my message is simply this: Unless you’re in a crisis, you may never know what it feels like to receive help. The Bible says it’s better to give than to receive. But for someone to be blessed by giving, someone else must receive, and it is just as important to receive graciously and appreciatively as it is to give! So enjoy the porch of life. Spend that extra time with your son or daughter. Never miss an opportunity to cherish your marriage or pass up an opportunity on the dock to teach someone how to rig a ballyhoo or to take time sit with an old man fishing from a pier. You may never know the impact it has. I do now. My life will continue. I may walk again, maybe not. Either way, I can’t wait to inspire others on TV and here in Sport Fishing. Life is about doing your best with what you have, never giving up, honor, faith and love of family and friends. There’s nothing more. It’s not about money or how big your boat is or how many world records you have. Slow down and smell the flowers: If it can happen to me, it can happen to you. Anni and I thank you for your support. It gives us strength. Till next tide, Capt. Tred Barta Editor’s Note: To help Tred weather the physical and financial storm that has stuck him and his family, five benefit fund-raising auction dinners are scheduled from Rhode Island to South Florida on October 23, 2009 at 7 p.m. Dinners will be held at: • The Village Inn, 1 Beach St., Narragansett, Rhode Island—Affair Director: Capt. Matt Barashyan; 917-903-8116 • Oakland’s Restaurant, 365 Dunne Rd., Hampton Bay, N.Y. at Shinnecock Inlet—Affair Director: Capt. Anthony Prudenti; 516-810-5812 • Doolan’s Restaurant, 700 Rt. 71, Spring Lake Heights, N.J.—Affair Director: Capt. Len Belcaro 800-827-4468 • Sanitary Fish Market and Restaurant, 501 Evans St. Morehead City, N.C. —Affair Director: Capt. Peter Manuel; 919-815-2560. • I.G.F.A. Banquet Hall, 300 Gulf Stream Way, Dania Beach, Florida. — Affair Director: Lee Green; 800-251-8263
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Comments (10)
Glad to hear he has such a great attitude with a diagnoses like that. I work in the medical field and could only hope that my patients would have such an upbeat and positive outlook. Such an incredible article from a great man and outdoorsman. I can only imagine his physical fitness and active lifestyle prior to this disease's onset has saved his life. Glad to hear he is doing better and that he can use this as a chance to help and inspire more people than he already does. Keep up the great progress Capt! When all else fails, drop a shoulder and push on through the trials of life. Take care brother!
Best Wishes Tred! Keep up the hope!
Tred,rest assured you're not alone, and although you are now receiving help from others, you will continue to help others with this rare disease... and sure, let's call it Cancer, that's what it is. It's also incurable, although the symptoms can be treated. I urge you to visit www.iwmf.com, the home of the International Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia Foundation. There you will find a wealth of information, sources of support, and ways to help yourself and others. I was diagnosed with WM in May of 2005, and I've been fine since. In fact, I am now a member of the IWMF Board of Trustees, and I'm also here to do whatever I can to help you in your battle. Feel free to contact me at Billpaul1@Juno.com, I'll try to answer any questions you might have. Meanwhile, prepare for an exciting and interesting journey!
Bill in Memphis, TN
I too echo Bill in Memphis's comments...I am also a member of the IWMF, and have been since I was diagnosed at age 43 back on 2003. The services provided by this group have helped me immensely in understanding the disease and in understanding the differences in the different types of treatments that are available. Please visit the website, and if you have any questions, feel free to contact me at pdenardis@comcast.net. By the way, the IWMF is a volunteer patient-led organization that promotes education about WM, support to patients, and research in treatments for WM.
Good luck to you and best of health to you as you learn to deal with this disease.
You still inspire, Tred. My hero. Push on through the grind like the broad shouldered brute that so many have come to love.
It is sometimes so odd how cues drive our life, steer us in directions. My wife and I were watching one of your shows the other night and our conversation turned to your condition, how it was initially reported. We hadn't been aware of the current state of your health. I said I was going to find out. I am at work and it's a slow day. I'm a police officer and not many days allow taking a break. I have the pleasure of bumping into you here. One of the things that immediately attached me to you is your thoughts/philosophy that the whole experience is more important then if you are successful or not in the harvest. THE EXPERIENCE IS THE HARVEST. When you embrace that, you can't help but be an eternal optimist. It shines through still!! As I said, cues can drive you in a direction. You have driven me in a direction that puts a smile on my face and my being. Thanks!!!
the world needs heros your a fishing hero!keep up the great work and get well.god will look out for you!
I's good to see that Tred is using his character and determination to fight his adversity. My thoughts and prayers are with him.
Tred , I sure hated to learn of this happening to you. My 11yr old son and I love your tv show. It is our favorite by far. I record them on VS and we watch them together. I too have at times chosen the hard roads in life when an easier way was presented. But once accomplished ,the satisfaction of success was far greater !! This is a road that you did not choose , but remember there still are alot of us out here watching you and you have an opportunity to truly demonstrate what the Barta Way is all about. And that is sticking to it and not giving up ! May you find comfort in knowing that God is with you in it all and he has a purpose in it for you . Plus , he knows how stubborn you are and that a lesser person would have given up and headed for camp by now. Keep the faith , fight the good fight and know the impact you have made in peoples lives by simply "doing it your way" on a TV show. I will most defenitaly keep you and your family in my prayers.
Woody n Texas
Tred, Your bird hunts w/ the bow reassured me that I wasn't alone, when I was an avid archer, I wanted to shoot it all w/ my recurve and compound. Now I'm spoiled on crossbow and don't get out as much as I would like to.
Your excitability is in short proximity of mine, well were just crazy about nature and the outdoors.
I'm here physically and mentally, keep us updated, I would like to know, I'm prayin for ya too!
Jimbo Solomon, Fla.
Post a Comment (200 characters or less)
Glad to hear he has such a great attitude with a diagnoses like that. I work in the medical field and could only hope that my patients would have such an upbeat and positive outlook. Such an incredible article from a great man and outdoorsman. I can only imagine his physical fitness and active lifestyle prior to this disease's onset has saved his life. Glad to hear he is doing better and that he can use this as a chance to help and inspire more people than he already does. Keep up the great progress Capt! When all else fails, drop a shoulder and push on through the trials of life. Take care brother!
It is sometimes so odd how cues drive our life, steer us in directions. My wife and I were watching one of your shows the other night and our conversation turned to your condition, how it was initially reported. We hadn't been aware of the current state of your health. I said I was going to find out. I am at work and it's a slow day. I'm a police officer and not many days allow taking a break. I have the pleasure of bumping into you here. One of the things that immediately attached me to you is your thoughts/philosophy that the whole experience is more important then if you are successful or not in the harvest. THE EXPERIENCE IS THE HARVEST. When you embrace that, you can't help but be an eternal optimist. It shines through still!! As I said, cues can drive you in a direction. You have driven me in a direction that puts a smile on my face and my being. Thanks!!!
the world needs heros your a fishing hero!keep up the great work and get well.god will look out for you!
I's good to see that Tred is using his character and determination to fight his adversity. My thoughts and prayers are with him.
Tred , I sure hated to learn of this happening to you. My 11yr old son and I love your tv show. It is our favorite by far. I record them on VS and we watch them together. I too have at times chosen the hard roads in life when an easier way was presented. But once accomplished ,the satisfaction of success was far greater !! This is a road that you did not choose , but remember there still are alot of us out here watching you and you have an opportunity to truly demonstrate what the Barta Way is all about. And that is sticking to it and not giving up ! May you find comfort in knowing that God is with you in it all and he has a purpose in it for you . Plus , he knows how stubborn you are and that a lesser person would have given up and headed for camp by now. Keep the faith , fight the good fight and know the impact you have made in peoples lives by simply "doing it your way" on a TV show. I will most defenitaly keep you and your family in my prayers.
Woody n Texas
Best Wishes Tred! Keep up the hope!
Tred,rest assured you're not alone, and although you are now receiving help from others, you will continue to help others with this rare disease... and sure, let's call it Cancer, that's what it is. It's also incurable, although the symptoms can be treated. I urge you to visit www.iwmf.com, the home of the International Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia Foundation. There you will find a wealth of information, sources of support, and ways to help yourself and others. I was diagnosed with WM in May of 2005, and I've been fine since. In fact, I am now a member of the IWMF Board of Trustees, and I'm also here to do whatever I can to help you in your battle. Feel free to contact me at Billpaul1@Juno.com, I'll try to answer any questions you might have. Meanwhile, prepare for an exciting and interesting journey!
Bill in Memphis, TN
I too echo Bill in Memphis's comments...I am also a member of the IWMF, and have been since I was diagnosed at age 43 back on 2003. The services provided by this group have helped me immensely in understanding the disease and in understanding the differences in the different types of treatments that are available. Please visit the website, and if you have any questions, feel free to contact me at pdenardis@comcast.net. By the way, the IWMF is a volunteer patient-led organization that promotes education about WM, support to patients, and research in treatments for WM.
Good luck to you and best of health to you as you learn to deal with this disease.
You still inspire, Tred. My hero. Push on through the grind like the broad shouldered brute that so many have come to love.
Tred, Your bird hunts w/ the bow reassured me that I wasn't alone, when I was an avid archer, I wanted to shoot it all w/ my recurve and compound. Now I'm spoiled on crossbow and don't get out as much as I would like to.
Your excitability is in short proximity of mine, well were just crazy about nature and the outdoors.
I'm here physically and mentally, keep us updated, I would like to know, I'm prayin for ya too!
Jimbo Solomon, Fla.
Post a Comment (200 characters or less)