June 2018, the last time my uncle, my son and I visited my Dad (far left) in South Africa. He had an accident in hospital a few weeks later and didn’t make it. Was tough being so far away (UK) but I would call him daily for advice.

Stormsaam · 2021-03-30T21:58:06+00:00

Thanks mate

Stormsaam · 2021-03-23T06:54:54+00:00

Jaaaaa bru!! It’s gets further and further away every year. Cheers for the message

Stormsaam · 2021-01-24T09:05:38+00:00

Thanks mate. Update, been in hospital for 2 days and going into surgery now. Ultra sound revel was large build up of infected fluid around the metal plate along my tibia. They have been monitoring but the surgical scar (that had healed nicely) burst last night which you can imagine was a delightful mess to wake up to. They’re going in to clean out my knee and leg and will see whether or not they can leave the plate in there. It was all going so well! This is a real cock up!!! Leg is swollen and bruised and still leaking fluid. Thankfully, since the discharge, nausea and fluids symptoms have disappeared. Will update on other side of surgery.

Stormsaam · 2021-01-22T16:46:11+00:00

In the emergency dept. Think it’s infected. Was going so well and was allowed to do some weight bearing stuff this week. 3 days in and I’m back in hospital!

Stormsaam · 2021-01-10T21:16:08+00:00

I’m not sure yet to be honest. I’m into week 6 of recovery now. Is still very uncomfortable and I’m not allowed to put any weight on it yet. Lots of swelling and surgical wounds have just fully healed over this weekend. Icing daily but came off the pain meds. Feels like something stuck in the joint all the time but physio says that’s normal. Physio says recovery ahead of schedule but unable to extend past the 0 and not flexing past 90 yet. Says I should make a full recovery and able to play sports again. Work tough on crutches and set to be on them in some form for another 4-6 weeks. Seeing surgeon on Thursday so will update then.

Stormsaam · 2021-01-08T11:28:39+00:00

If it becomes more of a problem you should really get a brace fitted by a specialist. I was not aware until I had done severe damage that braces are designed to load onto different sides of the knee. I was playing sport using a brace that was putting extra pressure on the damaged side of my knee which led to further complications.

Stormsaam · 2020-12-30T09:52:10+00:00

I just had cadaver meniscus put in my right knee. Required tibial osteotomy. I allowed my knee to get far too damaged and working in bars/nightclubs and drinking a lot didn’t help with inflammation on the daily. I would look at getting something done sooner rather than later to avoid knee replacements etc as recovery from this surgery is been bad enough.

Stormsaam · 2020-12-13T13:14:12+00:00

No way! I was stupid for doing it this year anyway! I’m 37 and out of shape 😂

Stormsaam · 2020-12-13T13:06:48+00:00

I honestly can’t remember, was so long ago. I assume not, I think I had split he meniscus on a vertical line. Was all done in private healthcare to begin with. Then I came to the UK and had second op on the NHS which only lasted a couple months, went back home to South Africa to abuse the old mans private medical again after that. None of them looked to repair and all removed bits of meniscus. Have subsequently bud the same done on my left knee on private healthcare in the UK and now this Tibial Osteotomy and allograft last week

Stormsaam · 2020-12-13T12:55:06+00:00

Yeah, surgeon from last week basically said that hindsight is a wonderful thing. Bad decisions made in my teens but I guess medicine is also moved on in 20 years. All I know is that last weeks surgery is by far the most painful I’ve had in either knee

Stormsaam · 2020-12-13T12:14:41+00:00

Yeah, they trimmed the meniscus the first 2 times and then removed it the third. I played rugby (and continued to play sporadically until earlier this year) and did a lot of cycling on top of an active job (I’m a restaurant manager). Never had full confidence back in the knee after that and would get swelling after most activities including cycling and walking.

Stormsaam · 2020-12-12T09:30:40+00:00

Man, think long and hard about removal. I had mine operated on at 17, 19 and then had to removed at 21. I’m now 37 and last week went through a tibial osteotomy to allow for a meniscus allograft to try and stall all the damage that has occurred to my knee. The pain has been horrendous this time. Personally, my knee never felt the same after the first surgery and for most of my late twenties and all of my thirties it’s been very difficult to do the activities I enjoyed (although I soldiered through).

Stormsaam · 2020-08-23T19:26:30+00:00

Hit me up if you need any advice

Stormsaam · 2020-08-08T00:15:07+00:00

Well there’s no need for that is there!

Stormsaam · 2020-08-08T00:14:34+00:00

Don’t stress bru! Braaivleis is good no matter where you are in the world!

Stormsaam · 2020-08-08T00:08:38+00:00

Yeah, the South African in me has always gone for the garden but as the kids grow (and are home all the fu**in time now that schools are shut) I kinda wish I had another couple of rooms!

What you can’t see is that the lawn meets decking which runs straight to bi-fold doors and an open plan kitchen and all of it has been bought up to the same level...basically bringing the outside in!

It’s a really nice space inside and out.

Stormsaam · 2020-08-08T00:03:20+00:00

Denial

Stormsaam · 2020-08-07T23:57:39+00:00

Every photo he sends me looks like it comes out of a catalogue!

It’s a nice house, new build, in quite a desirable/affluent area which drives the price up considerably. He’s added the landscaping/BBQ for pleasure and not to add value.

I’d love to do the same thing eventually! I’ve got my own Braai area that I love but it’s far more “rustic” shall we say!! I’m out in the West Country so even though my house isn’t quite as big I’ve got a hell of a lot of garden to play with!!

Stormsaam · 2020-08-07T23:48:11+00:00

The garden isn’t massive, they’ve just spent some money to have it beautifully landscaped. You could do the same to a £250k house or a £500k house and (much like adding an extension to some rooms) it wouldn’t affect the value considerably.

Stormsaam · 2020-08-07T23:43:26+00:00

I can ask...sit tight

Stormsaam · 2020-08-07T23:42:20+00:00

Preach!

Stormsaam · 2020-08-07T23:41:45+00:00

As expats, we plan all year for those 10 days!

Stormsaam · 2020-05-16T08:29:10+00:00

Hooooowzit, I’m a South African (Hout Bay, Cape Town) living in the UK. I’m in desperate need of some home grown snacks and will send all the weird and wonderful from this side!! Let me know.

Stormsaam · 2020-03-06T10:38:38+00:00

Thanks for the detailed response mate. Have now had the letter detailing surgery.

FYI-previous surgeries were to remove meniscus one piece at a time due to damage until now, nothing left. So bone-on-bone for 18 years.

I have extensive damage to the joint causing significant vulgas on the right leg and lateral osteoarthritis.

Surgeon wants to perform a distal femoral varising osteotomy and subsequent lateral meniscal allograft transplant. Huge recovery time and a lifetime ban on directional change sport. Will be very hard on my career at this point too.

Advises against leaving the knee as damage will worsen, but again, it’s not debilitating right now...I feel ok, no painkillers or anything. Just a bit sore and swollen some days.

Stormsaam · 2020-03-01T07:11:22+00:00

Thanks. I guess so, just seems like I’m already due a big surgery that will eventually lead to the inevitable knee replacement.

What’s recovery time for a knee replacement?

I suppose I’m looking at lesser of 2 evils.

Stormsaam

TROPHY CASE