Never tried the Tred Barta arrows but they are probably equal to 3 rivers cedar arrows which I have tried and find to be very good in quality. Just ordered a dozen yestrday.
I picked up the Dec 2009 copy of Sport Fisherman Magazine a couple a days ago and turned to the back where Tred writes a column. At the end of the column he said the cancer treatment is working and his prognosis is good. The Doc says he will recover. However he is still in a wheelchair but he says that is not stopping him from shooting his bow and rifle and he is planning some hunting trips.