First of all I want to thank you all for wishing me and my pharmacist colleagues a Happy Pharmacist appreciation month. That kind of thanks really feels great. We spend 8 years in school, borrow six figures to do it and stand all day scrutinizing sanscrit and heiroglyphic prescriptions for interactions to save lives. And looking at sores, rashes and cuts and talking about laxatives. So thank you. The flowers, the Starbucks gift cards, wine...all of it. Thank you...makes it all worth while.
This morning a nurse called in a prescription for a patient last name of "Laughter'" and I jokingly said "Laughter has not been in this pharmacy for a long time." I went three years without hearing it at one job. The harried nurse began to argue, gave me the birthday and curtly exclaimed that this was the patients regular pharmacy. "Yes Mam" and I took down the prescription. "Thank you Mam."
Back to assembly line "healthcare."
Next a patient came in and requested a vaccination. She argued over the cost and insurance billing vociferously for a few minutes. She really leaned in to my tech--probably the friendliest man I have ever met. It was getting heavy and I thought about calling the police.
As she went into the waiting room the next two ladies-- one in a wheel chair-- began to mock her. In a way I could not even dream of doing. And then these infirm ladies began to cackle. A cackling that maniacle witches around a cauldron might cackle in the midnight hour after casting a most diabolical spell. And then giggling-- like those furry laughter toys. The ones that children like to activate over and over again and they just can't stop.
I t
d i d
n o t
s t o p.
The pharmacy staff began to get nervous...what the heck was going on out there? We could not help but smile. And the line at the pick up window-- 5 deep and dour-- began to crack and smile too. A giggle-fest was errupting. Like those pre-teens at camp. And then rapidly spreading down the dental care aisle. From the floss all the way to the Dr. Scholls foot care section people were looking up and smiling. Smiles. Triumphant. Abounding. Asthmatics began to gasp for air between big belly laughs. The lady in the wheelchair needed help to right herself. Was the flat affect schizophrenic who waits solemnly by the vitamins until all are gone to get his meds actually cracking a smile too? Except for him***EVERYONE*** was laughing. Some uncontrollably.
I thought I would have to call the paramedics....as one of the older ladies might have broken a rib. It was out of control laughter like I have NEVER heard in 15 years of pharmacy work.
Totally made my day.
Made my pharmacy month.
No one has actually wished me a happy pharmacy month. No flowers, Starbucks cards nor wine. But am so grateful for today's experience that I would like to invite you, should you find yourself in a dour pharmacy line to tell some jokes and bring some levity. Laughter is so rare in the pharmacy and it was a great gift today. And I'll make a plea also to please call three days ahead for your meds-- it's the only way it works smoothly these days. New motto: "Down to 3? Call the Pharmacy!" And if your medicine is helpful or life saving...please consider wishing the staff a happy pharmacy month.
Happy October.
This morning a nurse called in a prescription for a patient last name of "Laughter'" and I jokingly said "Laughter has not been in this pharmacy for a long time." I went three years without hearing it at one job. The harried nurse began to argue, gave me the birthday and curtly exclaimed that this was the patients regular pharmacy. "Yes Mam" and I took down the prescription. "Thank you Mam."
Back to assembly line "healthcare."
Next a patient came in and requested a vaccination. She argued over the cost and insurance billing vociferously for a few minutes. She really leaned in to my tech--probably the friendliest man I have ever met. It was getting heavy and I thought about calling the police.
As she went into the waiting room the next two ladies-- one in a wheel chair-- began to mock her. In a way I could not even dream of doing. And then these infirm ladies began to cackle. A cackling that maniacle witches around a cauldron might cackle in the midnight hour after casting a most diabolical spell. And then giggling-- like those furry laughter toys. The ones that children like to activate over and over again and they just can't stop.
I t
d i d
n o t
s t o p.
The pharmacy staff began to get nervous...what the heck was going on out there? We could not help but smile. And the line at the pick up window-- 5 deep and dour-- began to crack and smile too. A giggle-fest was errupting. Like those pre-teens at camp. And then rapidly spreading down the dental care aisle. From the floss all the way to the Dr. Scholls foot care section people were looking up and smiling. Smiles. Triumphant. Abounding. Asthmatics began to gasp for air between big belly laughs. The lady in the wheelchair needed help to right herself. Was the flat affect schizophrenic who waits solemnly by the vitamins until all are gone to get his meds actually cracking a smile too? Except for him***EVERYONE*** was laughing. Some uncontrollably.
I thought I would have to call the paramedics....as one of the older ladies might have broken a rib. It was out of control laughter like I have NEVER heard in 15 years of pharmacy work.
Totally made my day.
Made my pharmacy month.
No one has actually wished me a happy pharmacy month. No flowers, Starbucks cards nor wine. But am so grateful for today's experience that I would like to invite you, should you find yourself in a dour pharmacy line to tell some jokes and bring some levity. Laughter is so rare in the pharmacy and it was a great gift today. And I'll make a plea also to please call three days ahead for your meds-- it's the only way it works smoothly these days. New motto: "Down to 3? Call the Pharmacy!" And if your medicine is helpful or life saving...please consider wishing the staff a happy pharmacy month.
Happy October.
