One patient was trying to pick up his prescription from our pharmacy. I asked how he was, he answered "not good, not good at all". So I responded by saying "how can we make you feel better?" He stood there looked at me with his bewildered eyes then told me while trying to choke back a sob "a hug would be nice". I didn't know what to say or do, our pharmacy has a plexiglass and I couldn't hug him from behind the counter with that barrier. I looked him straight in his eyes and showed empathy.
When his prescription was ready, I rang him up. While he was signing our logbook for HIPAA, I went out of the pharmacy, stood behind him and said "I will hug you". He was so taken aback by my gesture. I hugged him and pat his back, I told him "everything will be alright, hang in there". That's when he couldn't control his sob anymore. He smelled of alcohol, he probably needed it to help him sleep. He thanked me profusely and left the pharmacy with tears in his sad eyes.
Sent from my iPhone
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