It always makes me smile when I walk into a doctors' waiting room and find everyone sitting in nervous silence. I find myself wanting to shout "Hey! it's okay, the doctor won't bite" but instead I usually end up talking about something mundane like the weather. Anything to break that awful tension in the room.

I've never been able to understand why people treat doctors with such reverence. Yes, they are highly qualified professionals who are deserving of our respect but they are also real people who in the main, enjoy having a good rapport with their patients. Think about it - if you had a job where everyone who came to see you was so petrified that they could barely speak, you'd soon tire of having to reassure them before making any progress. A visit to a doctor can be an intimidating experience but only if the patient allows this to happen. I've always found it useful to employ humour when appropriate. It's a great tool for breaking down barriers and getting to the point. It's important to establish a 2-way conversation so that the consultation is a shared process. Remember, your doctor learns a great deal from what you tell them. If something is said to me that doesn't quite make sense, I will always question it and if necessary, argue the point. I find that doctors respect when you take an interest and work with them to find the best way forward. The patients who sit in terrified silence throughout a consultation, are really missing out. Of course, bad news is never easy for anyone involved but if a good rapport has been established, then it's likely to be a little easier to digest.

Doctors are real people with real lives just like you and I. Most of them are under huge day to day pressure, with their busy working lives constantly vying for more time at the cost of their personal lives. They do make mistakes sometimes but they're only human after all. Show them you care and they'll respect you for it.

One of the many joys of blogging for me has been the discovery of some great medical blogs written by doctors, nurses and medical students. My favourite ones are on my blogroll where you'll find medics writing and sharing their everyday lives with anyone who cares to join in. It's good to see patients, like myself, join the debate as I believe that we have a lot to learn from one another, for the benefit of all.

I'll finish here by saying that there's a new blogger on the block who's making waves with great ideas to sort out the mess within the HSE. Dr. Jane Doe has joined the team of Irish doctors and nurses over at Two Weeks on a Trolley, and she makes for very interesting reading. Our Minister for Health would do well to take note.

So, perhaps I'll continue to pop in and post here once in awhile.  I really do hope that you will join me at my new blog.  I know I have a lot of good content here; and, I'm still learning to use blogger, and to organize it; but, I'm learning.

So, please, let's get together at my new blog!

Today is the first anniversary of this blog. Hip Hip, Hip Hip, HURRAY!

Okay, so I know some clever dick is going to tell me that the tool bar shows The Biopsy Report started in June, not April! You're right, it did but this blog actually came into existence this day last year. If you don't believe me, scroll down and have a look at 'archives'. The blog was originally known as Que sera, sera and after a few months of dipping my toes into the blog pool, I decided to make a few changes and start all over again. That's when The Biopsy Report was born.

How well I remember those first few tentative steps into 'blog land'. I hadn't a clue what the whole blogging concept was about but my son, Robin, kept telling me "You'll love it, Mum!". He was right, of course. I totally adore it and now I can't imagine life without blogging. My friends think I've lost it but they don't know what they're missing! He! He! Hardly a day goes past without me announcing to someone "but one of my blog friends says this" or "one of my blog friends does that" and it raises some interesting looks. Okay! Maybe I have lost it but I tell you what, if this is losing it bring it on, I want more!

So, some 22,000 visitors, 2 blog award nominations and a whole lot of fun later, here I am celebrating a year of giving an insider's view, from a patient's perspective, on what life is like within the health service. To sow the seeds for this, I had to put my story out there first and this had the added bonus of bringing welcome support and understanding from all my blogging friends. I used to talk about my medical saga as being a lonely journey. How things have changed! This blog has really helped me to find the plot and I'm hugely grateful to everyone who's given support. Now that I've got my own woes out of the way, I've started to focus on the bigger picture of our rapidly crumbling health service. I don't pretend to be an expert. I just say it as I see it and hope that by exposing the various issues, it will get people to think more about what sort of health service they want, and need. They say your health is your wealth. Sadly, in Ireland it's rapidly becoming more of a case of your wealth is your health. I'm determined to do all that I can to raise awareness of the flaws within the system, as I see them. Some day, you may be very glad that I did.

And now, where did I see that great lasagne recipe yesterday? I'm off to give it a whirl! Thanks! Grannymar.

Missing Inaction - I love the wit of Amy Mullis!  When I grow up, I want to be just like her!
Polygamy: A Top Ten List - Think more wives means more of all the good stuff in life?  Steve reminds us of all the other things, the ones men may put out of their mind.
Livininsanity - A wonderful recap of this month's blog chain.  Another author whose writing I truly enjoy reading.
Colby Celebrates a Milestone - I will admit, the word llama was what first drew me to Colby's blog.  I'm glad she's posted for 100 consecutive days, it's always a bit of entertainment for my early morning or late night!
Healthy, Green, and Frugal - The name says it all!
Outrageous Brownies - Mmmmmm, brownies!  Yes, I know I'm trying to lose weight, but heck, these look worth the guilt!

And just to show that I haven't completely neglected my blogging responsibilities, I posted a business spotlight and information about the Earth Day Energy Fair at 53536.net.

And for once, I really don't know what to say...

My blog, The Biopsy Report, has been nominated by Medgadget for a Medical Weblog Award in the Best Patient's Blog category. I'm extremely grateful to the person who has submitted my blog for consideration and also to ScrubsGallery.com who have sponsored the award. If I were really honest, I'd admit that I'm chuffed but not for the reasons that you'd probably expect.

I started writing this blog earlier in the year following some major surgery. The operation was the culmination of two long, hard years fighting a serious MRSA infection in my skull. As many of you will already know, I'm no stranger to the world of surgery but the blogosphere was a complete novelty to me and I'm still very much a learner in this regard. In my blog, I write about medical issues and experiences from the perspective of the patient. It has proved to be the most therapeutic outlet imaginable and I'm now what could be termed as, a compulsive blogger!

There is not a lot to recommend about life as a long-term patient. Nothing can be taken for granted. The constant stop/start nature of life due to sudden illness is very frustrating and it can feel very unfair at times. It's a real roller coaster of emotions but I would add that illness does have some compensations. My experiences have taught me to appreciate the simpler things in life and to see the world through different eyes. I have called it discovering magic and I can assure you, it is magical!

Yesterday my blog counter registered 12,000 visitors since June 2007. This is reward enough for me. I put my story out there in the hope that it might help others to see life from a different perspective, that of the patient, and these figures have exceeded all my expectations. A big thank-you to all who have visited my site and most especially to anyone who's left a comment. I treasure your views. I also hugely enjoy visiting other blogs and especially those listed on my blogroll.

I have my son, Robin, to blame for getting me into the blog world. He spotted in me, a blog waiting to come out - and how right he was! He encouraged, cajoled and bullied me into putting my experiences into words and I have to say, I'll never be able to thank him enough for introducing me to this world of fun and discovery.

My life has certainly not gone according to plan but this nomination feels like a lovely tribute at the end of a particularly difficult year. And right now, I'm feeling very lucky indeed :-D

HAPPY NEW YEAR to one and all!

Your 'expert by experience' patient,

Steph

So every time I go online; some treasure waits for me.

I've finally come to realise; your comments mean much more

They might just look like words; but they touch me at the core.

And while you may not be aware; of any special link

This blog has changed my life; in more ways than you think.

In some small way you've had a part; in shaping things I do

And the best gift life can offer; is finding gems like you!

Merry Christmas!

Cuppycake, Stargrace, and Kilanna, hopefully you will get some more traffic :)

Lots of great ideas here!

Monday:  Turkey Tetrazzini (using up leftover turkey!)

Tuesday:  Bavarian Wiener Supper  (using leftover dogs from the guys' paintball cookout.)

Wednesday:  Almond Chicken and Rice

Thursday:  Beans in a Pot

Friday: Slow Cooked Corn Chowder (omit ham)

Saturday:  Fried Eggs with Chili Cheese Grits

Sunday:  Quick Shrimp Gumbo

Breakfast: Oatmeal, Cinnamon Rice, Cooked Oat Bran, Bagels and yogurt,

Lunch:  Quesadillas,  Sloppy Joes, Migas, Pasta Salad, Bacon and Eggs,

I am always glad to know that someone is enjoying my blog, that I am not blogging in vain. I always love when others receive the thinking blogger award because it always leads me to new and wonderful blogs. I hope you enjoy this selection of blogs which make me think.

1. A Life Profound
2. Blended Colors
3. Joyful Noise
4. Red Tin Heart
5. Deus Audiam

I would share more about each one, but I'd like you to discover for yourselves why I enjoy these blogs so much. Each one has a niche and makes me think, experience, or appreciate different aspects of life.

For those of you wondering why I don't display the Thinking Blogger Award on my sidebar, it is because these pretty shiny things distract me when I see my reflection in them. I've actually received this award before and displayed the icon for a day, but I kept looking at it. To avoid a struggle with pridefulness and to maintain the purpose of this blog, I cannot add much at all to my sidebar.

There are rules for those receiving the thinking blogger award. As always, you have the option to not participate. I completely respect that.

Rules are–
1. If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think.
2. Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme.
3. Optional: Proudly display the Thinking Blogger Award with a link to the post that you wrote

Thanks again, Muddy Boots.

amanda ∞

Thanks to Michaela at Filled with Joy!  Gotta love the name of her blog,  and you can totally see the joy overflowing when she writes about her adorable children!  Thanks Michaela!

I'd like to nominate a few rockin' gals myself,  starting with Jennifer at S/V Mari Hal-O-Jen.  Jennifer and her family live and learn on a boat!  How cool is that?  (Now I have a cheezy disco song running through my head about rocking boats!)

Ruth is also a very rocking girl at Just Another Day in Paradise.  I am always so inspired by her great faith untiring devotion to her family.  Ruth,  you really do rock!

And lastly there is Suzanne at Gladdest Hours  and her houseful of rocking girls!   Suzanne is the most classy, sassy, and feminine mom on the web!  I hope you are enjoying your blog break Suzanne,  can't wait for your return!

*It would go without saying that the boys will not use a single pink napkin!  (and yes, those are baby woolies freshly washed and lanolized!)