December 15, 2009

After our adventures in the Turkish Bazaar and after exploring the Sultan’s Topkapi Palace, the next day, we wandered the streets of Istanbul outside the bazaar.  As if we didn’t have enough of them, we wandered into yet another rug shop.
 
My wife spied a particularly vivid red carpet, not too big, but very beautiful, with a very ornate golden border. The merchant was very impressed with our choice, as it turns out that this was a true antique, woven by hand nearly a century ago. That deep red color, a blood shade of crimson, was made with natural dyes, derived from the heads of insects (ugh!).
 
Well, we had the obligatory apple tea and hung out there for a while, casually bargaining. You need to understand that in this part of the world, there is no fixed price for anything. Everything is negotiable. And bargaining is both expected and respected, almost a social form.
 
Well we finally struck a deal, after a few hours (nothing is rushed, here) though the owner was crying that I was robbing him. That actually means that he wasn’t robbing ME as badly as would have liked to. But, it was all in good humor. And we got along with the merchant and his sons very well. 
 
We stopped by to say hello a few more times that week. Turns out that the sons were well connected with the Ministry of Antiquities. So, since we were coming due to return home, I asked their advice about a purchase I’d made in the Bazaar, one day.
 
I have always had a weakness for bladed weapons, swords, knives, of all kinds. Guess it has something to do with being a surgeon (or a frustrated warrior). And I had seen this magnificent oriental dagger, deeply chased and burnished silver, pommel, guard and scabbard, with the odor and patina of great age. It had a long, straight, pointed blade with a central blood groove, perhaps 12 inches long. It was striking.
 
Now, I rarely get things for myself, other than a few T-shirts, in most places we visit. I usually enjoy buying a few nice things for my wife. But this was an exception. So, I bought it as a souvenir and was thrilled with the purchase. 
 
But then, I found out, belatedly, that the Turkish Ministry of Antiquities did not permit the exportation of any culturally significant Turkish artifacts from the country. Uh oh. Visions of “Midnight Express” and spending hard time in a Turkish hell hole flew through my mind.
 
We decided to ask our pals at the rug shop. So I brought the knife, to show them. Well, they were very impressed. They also assured me that it was quite genuine, not a fake antique, for the tourist trade. The merchant who swore to me that it was real was telling the truth. Well, that was a relief. But now what?
 
Well, it turns out that it was not, strictly speaking, a Turkish antiquity. Rather, it was made on the northern border shared with Russia, with a distinctly Caucasian design. So, a case could be made that it did not violate the ban on taking Turkish antiquities out of the country. But still, they advised me to bury it deep in my suitcase and hope for the best. Great.
 
Well, I thanked them and said our goodbyes. Then, I did exactly what they advised. Came the morning of our departure, we arrived at the airport at 4 AM. All these military guards, with fully loaded and poised submachine guns, were everywhere, looking over everyone (and this was well before any of today’s terrorist attacks). Great. 
 
I watched, as our bags were sent through the x-ray machines, holding my breath. Amazingly, everything was cleared. Had my friends from the rug shop spoken to their friends at the airport? I guess I’ll never know. Because that dagger showed quite clearly on the     x-ray image. I saw it. I’m sure they did, too. However, or whyever, they ignored it and let it pass, thank God for small favors.
 
I was very grateful to get on that plane, without incident, I can tell you. And I slept nearly all the way home. So that was the end of our first trip to Turkey. All in all, quite an experience, rich with good memories and wonderful times.
 
And I still have that antique rug, today. And the Caucasian blade.
 
We arrived home, safe, tired, but happy. Then it was back to work for me, slicin’ and dicin’ those hips and knees. And if you’d like to treat YOUR knee pain with some proven conservative treatments and bypass the operating room yourself, then try my newest healing program: HOW TO AVOID KNEE SURGERY    http://www.drbillsclinic.com/avoid_knee_surgery.html 
 
Til next time, my friend, be well.
 
Yours for a pain-free tomorrow,
 
Dr. Bill

P.S. For DR. BILL’S LITTLE GREEN BOOK ON ELIMINATING KNEE PAIN, a concise, but complete handbook on the root causes and the various options for treating knee pain, go to http://drbillsclinic.com/eliminate_knee_pain.html 
 
P.P.S. For DR. BILL’S PAIN-FREE PROGRAM: EXERCISES TO PREVENT OR ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN, please go to
 http://drbillsclinic.com/exercise_eliminate.html 
 
P.P.P.S. For conventional and alternative treatments and exercises to relieve knee pain without surgery click on http://drbillsclinic.com/avoid_knee_surgery.html 
 
P.P.P.P.S. For the giant, comprehensive ADVANCED MASTERS’ COURSE: HOW TO ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN–ONCE & FOR ALL!, everything you need to know on causes and solutions for knee pain and the complete exercise program, too, go to
 http://drbillsclinic.com/advanced_masters.html 
 
FREE BONUS CD with any order: THE HEALING POWER OF POSITIVE PAIN PERCEPTION
 
Copyright, 2009 by William Thomas Stillwell, MD, FACS
All rights reserved

December 11, 2009

To pick up where we left off yesterday, the Windstar sailed North, along the coast of Turkey to the excavated city, believed to be the site of the ancient Troy. Yeah, THAT Troy. As in Hector and Achilles and Odysseus, in the Iliad. 
 
Though land locked now, the intact stone battlements, now believed to be the walls of Troy, were once close upon the sea. With time, however, the sea receded and a vast green plain now sits where once a beach overlooked Agamemnon’s ships. Pretty cool, really.
 
We then sailed further and came upon the ancient city of Ephesus. This was an important coastal city for trade and the site of the Romans’ landing when they came to conquer Asia Minor. Originally, it was the site of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Temple of Artemis, built in 550 B.C. Sadly, it was reportedly burned by some loser named Herostratus in 356 B.C., in a misguided attempt at fame, supposedly on the same day as Alexander the Great was born. (I know it makes no sense–how would any one know he was going to be “The Great” at his birth? But that’s the story.)
 
The city was also important in the early history of the Christian Church, as the Apostle, St. Paul came there to preach and convert the population to Christianity. His Letter to the Ephesians was written here. Legend has it that Mary, Mother of Jesus, was brought here by St. John, after the Crucifixion, and lived here in a small brick house (still on display) until her death. 
 
Was it true? Don’t know. I wasn’t there. But that’s what they say and you can still see the little brick house.
 
Today, Ephesus is one of the most complete archeological excavations in the world, with complete streets laid out, paving stones and all, public baths, public toilets, whore houses, market stalls, the Great Gate of Hadrian and a great library, which once housed an estimated 12,000-15,000 scrolls. This was the great Library of Celsus. And thereby hangs my tale….
 
While we were looking around and taking in everything on the guided tour we had joined, I naturally went inside the great Library. I always like to see what can’t be seen from the outside, just to see if I’m missing anything. 
 
Unfortunately, I have this very bad habit of walking in one direction, while my eyes are looking in another direction, lest I miss something. It’ll be the death of me, one day, if I don’t mend my ways. Almost was this time…
 
I was coming down the front steps of the great Library, just to the right of the center, as you face it. As usual, I was looking off to my left, as I walked down the stairs, when upon hitting the third step from the bottom, my ankle turned suddenly and I pitched forward, out into space. 
 
Might have been an irregularity in the weathered stone steps, or perhaps a stone in my path. Whatever. Down I went, in full view of the entire busload of tourists. WHAM! I landed on both hands and both knees, on the parched and dusty ground. Lucky for me, it was only a 3 or 4 foot fall. 
 
Even so, I cut both knees, as I had landed full on my kneecaps, and skinned both palms, enough to draw blood. Crap. All I could think of was “When was my last tetanus shot?” 
 
You get an infection overseas, you’ve got a serious problem. Whatever you may think of the service at your local Emergency Room, you start appreciating the good ol’ US of A real fast, in these circumstances, believe me.
 
Also luckily, I didn’t break anything. The way I landed, I could very easily have broken my wrists, or worse, the scaphoid bones in my hands, at the base of my thumbs. This is EXACTLY the kind of fall that results in those fractures. I also missed fracturing my patellae, though I deserved to, for being stupid.
 
Better lucky than smart….
 
Well, a little water on my lacerated palms was the extent of the First Aid. I kept thinking of all the foreign bacteria and bizarre mold spores, out in that desert environment. But they say God protects fools and madmen and so it was with me. I healed, without even residual knee pain and without scars on my hands.
 
I was back doing my regular knee pain exercises, like those in my PAIN-FREE PROGRAM, as soon as the skin had healed. 
http://www.drbillsclinic.com/exercise_eliminate.html 
 
Good thing, too. I had a very limited Emergency Kit with me. And that was in the days before there was my POWERHOUSE OMEGA FORMULA   http://www.favoriteformulas.com  an ultra pure, enteric coated, pharmaceutical grade fish oil, with natural anti-inflammatory properties. Needless to say, I carry that with me these days, at all times.
 
Well, at least I have an indelible memory: every time I see a photo of the great Library of Celsus, I look right at the spot where I tripped and remember my fall in Ephesus.
 
Next week, I’ll tell you about my adventures in Istanbul. Meanwhile, have a great weekend, get your Christmas shopping done early and be well, my friend.
 
Yours for a pain-free tomorrow,
 
Dr. Bill
 
P.S. For DR. BILL’S LITTLE GREEN BOOK ON ELIMINATING KNEE PAIN, a concise, but complete handbook on the root causes and the various options for treating knee pain, go to http://drbillsclinic.com/eliminate_knee_pain.html 
 
P.P.S. For DR. BILL’S PAIN-FREE PROGRAM: EXERCISES TO PREVENT OR ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN, please go to
 http://drbillsclinic.com/exercise_eliminate.html 
 
P.P.P.S. For conventional and alternative treatments and exercises to relieve knee pain without surgery click on http://drbillsclinic.com/avoid_knee_surgery.html 
 
P.P.P.P.S. For the giant, comprehensive ADVANCED MASTERS’ COURSE: HOW TO ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN–ONCE & FOR ALL!, everything you need to know on causes and solutions for knee pain and the complete exercise program, too, go to
 http://drbillsclinic.com/advanced_masters.html 
 
FREE BONUS CD with any order: THE HEALING POWER OF POSITIVE PAIN PERCEPTION
 
Copyright, 2009 by William Thomas Stillwell, MD, FACS
All rights reserved

December 10, 2009

I’ve been really hewing to the line in talking about strictly orthopaedic and/or medical problems, of late. You are no doubt agog with amazement at my incredible self restraint, in the wake of Harry Reid continuing to try to ram the Health Care legislation through the Senate, despite a considerable majority of the country being against it, or the comedy of the big climate change conference in Copenhagen, where the Anointed One will likely try to sign away some of America’s sovereignty over the ongoing fiction of man-made global warming…excuse me, “climate change.”
 
I admit it is tempting and how long I can maintain my restraint is anyone’s guess, but it IS rather like shooting fish in a barrel. So, I will only urge you to let your senators know how you feel about this health care debacle and move on to other, more palatable items.
 
Some years ago, one of the best trips my wife ever took me on was to the Greek Islands and Turkey. She was the one who planned our trips and vacations. I was busy all the time, so I went where I was told and always enjoyed it.
 
On this trip, we flew to Greece, where we went aboard the Windstar, a 400 foot, computer guided sail ship. Much more sophisticated than the Windjammer Cruises, the guests were not expected to work the ship. Quite the contrary. They had almost as many staff as they had passengers. If you ever want a really relaxing, virtually silent cruise, a different experience from those mammoth cruise ships, try a Windstar cruise.
 
I’ll tell you about the Greek islands another time. Today, it’s about our adventures in Turkey, what you might call our “Turkish Delight.” Many people think of camels and Arabic culture when they think of Turkey, because it is a Muslim country, the original seat  of the fabled Ottoman Empire. But in fact, the language is closer to Hungarian than Arabic, and though most of the people ARE muslims, they are much more European in appearance, quite a few with blond hair and blue eyes. Perhaps you knew this, but it was a surprise to me.
 
On our way to Istanbul, we sailed the Mediterranean Sea, along the coast, stopping first at Kusadasi, where we drank apple tea and bargained for the best prices, with Turkish rug merchants. I must have done OK, because the shop owner told me that if I ever wanted to come into the business, he would hire me.
 
This bargaining process, however, is not quick.
 
We were late getting back to the ship, which was just getting ready to pull up the gangplank, when we ran up breathlessly and checked in. The First Mate checked us off and looked at us balefully, but he didn’t say anything except, “Welcome aboard.” We were the very last to board and they really were getting ready to leave us. Closest I’ve ever come to being left behind.
 
No, of course I wasn’t carrying the rugs! They were to be shipped back to the States. 
 
Well, we got back to our cabin and I decided to go to the little gym that they had on board. They had some free weights, dumbbells and such, and an old exercise bicycle, what we in the trade call an ergometer. Thing about ergometers is that you can adjust them to develop your quadriceps, by raising the seat, so you get maximal contraction on each downstroke. I show you exactly how to do this and why in my latest version of the PAIN-FREE PROGRAM:   http://www.drbillsclinic.com/exercise_eliminate.html 
 
After that, a quick shower and then, dinner. The interesting thing about dining on a sailing ship is that the entire ship lists to one side, as it is actually pulled along by the giant sails. At times, this is a good 20 degrees, or more. And if the sea is rough, it gets to rockin’ ‘n’ rollin’ pretty good, too. (This may not be ideal if you get sea sick, easily.) 
 
So you have to have strong legs and a good sense of balance to be able to stay upright and develop your “sea legs.” We eventually made it to the table. Very amusing to watch the meniscus of the water in the goblets indicate just how much of a cant we were on.
 
I don’t really remember what I ate that particular night, but I do remember they had a very nice Dover Sole, which I enjoyed frequently. These days, I don’t eat fish too often, so I make sure I get my omega-3 fatty acids from my very own POWERHOUSE 
OMEGA FORMULA, an ultra pure, enteric coated, pharmaceutical grade fish oil:   http://www.favoriteformulas.com 
 
Next day, we stopped at Ephesus, further up the coast. And I had quite an adventure there, too… which I’ll tell you about tomorrow. Til then, my friend, be well.
 
Yours for a pain-free tomorrow,
 
Dr. Bill
 
P.S. For DR. BILL’S LITTLE GREEN BOOK ON ELIMINATING KNEE PAIN, a concise, but complete handbook on the root causes and the various options for treating knee pain, go to http://drbillsclinic.com/eliminate_knee_pain.html 
 
P.P.S. For DR. BILL’S PAIN-FREE PROGRAM: EXERCISES TO PREVENT OR ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN, please go to
 http://drbillsclinic.com/exercise_eliminate.html 
 
P.P.P.S. For conventional and alternative treatments and exercises to relieve knee pain without surgery click on http://drbillsclinic.com/avoid_knee_surgery.html 
 
P.P.P.P.S. For the giant, comprehensive ADVANCED MASTERS’ COURSE: HOW TO ELIMINATE KNEE PAIN–ONCE & FOR ALL!, everything you need to know on causes and solutions for knee pain and the complete exercise program, too, go to
 http://drbillsclinic.com/advanced_masters.html 
 
FREE BONUS CD with any order: THE HEALING POWER OF POSITIVE PAIN PERCEPTION
 
Copyright, 2009 by William Thomas Stillwell, MD, FACS
All rights reserved