I have always been very active and have travelled extensively all over the world. Many of my trips have involved long distance wilderness trips, many to include my passion for trekking and fly fishing.
On reaching seventy the onset of arthritis became apparent in my left knee, this gradually deteriorated and although painful I kept on with my outdoor life.
In 2021 I traveled to Chang Mai on route to a jungle expedition in Northern Thailand near the Myanmar border, I was seeking the elusive Mahseer fish. I had caught them on a previous trip and was determined to recapture the moment.
The Mahseer is a beautiful fish, rare and found only in pristine rivers deep in the jungle, renouned as being very shy and extremly difficult to catch, they are incredibly strong and offer superb sport on light fly fishing tackle.
Sadly my knee became so inflamed and painful that I was forced to cancel the trip at the last moment.
On returning to the UK I booked a consultation with Mr Gleeson who advised a total knee replacement , by this time I was limping and in constant pain, I was also aware of the long delays on the NHS waiting list so I decided to have the operation privately.
The operation was completed in mid June last year and was a great success. I couldn’t fault the Winfield Hospital and Mr Gleeson and his team. The whole procedure was first rate.
I was warned to expect a painful interlude after the operation, it was painful at times but the pain was we’ll managed by the Winfields wonderful staff.
I was able to walk with sticks very quickly and made good progress, the physio was tough but essential. I kept to the reccomended program and as soon as I was able supplemented it with additional morning Tai Chi excercise which I found very benificial. Although still swollen and painful at times my knee movement was greatly improved.
I was fortunate it was my left knee that was replaced, my car was automatic so I was able to drive within a few weeks. I increased the distance I walked each day and the sticks were soon discarded.
By November I was able to complete a tour to Laos and New Zealand. I then returned to Thailand to complete my previously cancelled expedition.
I travelled deep into the jungle in Northern Thailand staying with members of the Karen hilltribe.
It took four hours by 4×4 to get to the Karen village mostly on deep rutted tracks, the community have no electricity or phone signal. They hunt in the jungle and grow their own food.
I didn’t know what I was eating half the time(probably a good thing!) but it was delicious. The villagers were lovely people, no English was spoken but we got by with lots of smiles and gestures. I have always found the people with the least are often the happiest and most generous, the Karen were no exception.
The fishing was amazing, nothing compares to being in pristine jungle if you know what you are doing and I caught my elusive Mahseer.
I was content having achieved my goal, a replacement knee enabled me to do that, I will always be eternaly grateful for Mr Gleeson and his team for the excellent job they did.
After the trip I travelled around Thailand, no more Mahseer fishing but I did catch Barramundi, Snake head and massive cat fish, all good fun but nothing compares to the Mahseer, for many to catch one it’s the fly fishers holy grail! (I caught eight!)
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> For anyone considering a replacement knee operation I would say, do it! It’s enabled me to continue to do things that would have been impossible without the operation.
I am now enjoying a glass of wine on the stern of my boat contemplating my next trip, fly fishing for trout in Patagonia, Tiger fishing on the Zambezi?
Life is hard!!!
Best Wishes Dennis Holder
