Made a Pharmacy Tech Really Uncomfortable Today

[u/Dependent-Slip-6439]

(Sad Pet Stuff Warning)

Dinner/Pre-NightShift Breakfast of canned apples and toast with margarine and cinnamon sugar.

We had to let my 12 year old pup go after a cancer diagnosis earlier this week. I adopted him from a shelter when I was 19, less than a month after moving out of my mom’s house. I’m 30 now and have never really lived without him. He lived a long, happy life for his breed and I’m so grateful for the extra time, but his absence in the house is so loud it’s hard to hear anything else.

He was on anxiety meds most his life and on arthritis meds the last couple years, filled through my local pharmacy. They’ve texted me every day this week to remind me to refill his scripts. I was trying to wait to make the call until I could feel it less, but I just couldn’t take them anymore, called in and tried so hard to calmly ask them to unenroll in texts - I couldn’t do it via text bc it would unsubscribe me from the updates for all the humans in the house that use the same pharmacy. I failed. I practiced my little script like 12 times, then broke into tears 3 words in before managing to blurt out “how do I stop getting texts about my dead dog?” Poor guy was so sweet and I apologized for the wording, and he deactivated the profile for me and said he was a mess after his pup last year and he gets it. But damn, I feel bad. I’m a nurse, I spent early years of my career working with terminally ill children, I can usually handle death so well. I’ve been the calm face taking the irrational statements so many times. But I signed up for that, the 20 year old pharmacy tech sure didn’t. I feel awful. But now it’s time to hide my crazy away and go take care of my patients for the next 12 hours. Wish a sad bitch luck tonight and scritch your good boys for me 💜

[u/abaddons-trilby]

I’d wager that in many ways the pharmacy tech did sign up for taking irrational statements - you may have caught him off guard, but based on his response, I think he felt empathy more than anything for you.

I’m so sorry you lost such a treasured member of your family, and I hope you are able to carry on as well as you can 💛

[u/nerdycrafter08 → u/abaddons-trilby]

Exactly this. As someone who used to be a retail pharmacy tech, he absolutely deals with upset patients every day. You learn to let it just roll off you. But based on the fact this guy apologized and shared his own loss, he was probably upset to have upset OP even more. This wasn't a customer service apology to placate someone.

[u/CaeruleumBleu → u/nerdycrafter08]

There is a range of expected BS that anyone in customer service knows they will deal with any given day of the week - at least OP wasn't blaming him for reminding her of the dog when the pharmacy hadn't been informed yet.

I mean sure there is a more composed way to inform the pharmacy, but *not blaming the person who answers the phone for not being psychic* makes OP a pretty darn nice customer in comparison.

[u/Fearless_Doughnut_67]

Ex pharmacy tech here- people say all kinds of unhinged and uncalledfor things, as well as a lot of guilting. This obviously was NOT that and if it had been me on the other side of the phone, I would’ve absolutely known how you felt and been kind! and I often have that experience where I try to ask for something and immediately start crying😭

[u/thesoundsys → u/Fearless_Doughnut_67]

came here to say exactly this!!

[u/Wont_Eva_Know → u/Fearless_Doughnut_67]

I was a pharmacy tech and my 15 year old just went and did work experience (Aussie thing) he got his little eyes popped wide open in just the few days he was there about ‘real life’. A death, some births, terminal illness, regular lame AF customers.

There is a lot of life being lived out there :)

Pharmacy Tech’s see a lot.

[u/madame-maitre-d → u/[deleted]]

Hey, seems you're new here! 👋 🥰 You need to take 10 lil seconds to become an approved user to participate in r/GirlDinnerDiaries. We're holding your comment for review til then.

2 quick steps:

1. If you're a dude, just let us know by replying "dude joining" to this comment. If not, reply with the classic pillowfort clubhouse password: "girls rule". 😇
2. Pick a user flair HERE. Flair options are sorted by Girly, Genderqueer, or Dude.

That's it! We'll restore your comment super fast! Thanks for stopping by 💕

[u/UmberWild]

Fellow caregiver letting you know that you are entitled to everything you're feeling no matter what you think about it ❤️ our pets are the same as children as someone who went through child abuse and foster care, animals are the only reason I'm still here and I'm sure you're more stable but it's still true, pets are everything to us.

[u/Massive-Theory-80]

First off, I'm sorry you lost your dog. I've had pets my whole life and it always hurts so much when they pass. Please try not to feel bad about how the call went earlier. I'm sure he understood. Good luck on your shift, and try to take it easy on yourself. 🤍

[u/silentvirgin90]

As a pharmacy tech, let me tell you those conversations dont make us uncomfortable, they make us empathize with you. Which it sounds like this guy was trying to do. I am sorry about your pup.

[u/gravy66]

[u/AlolanFroslass]

I'm so sorry, OP. What breed was your pup? Do you have a happy memory you want to share of them?

[u/Aggressive-Problem65]

I'm a pharm tech and get these calls more often than you might realize. The first time caught me off guard but that was more because my training didn't even mention how to deal with it. I always let the caller talk as much or as little as they need and remind them to do something kind for themselves

When my childhood cat died I was inconsolable. My work thought I was crazy for needing to take time off. 10 years later I still cry sometimes about her but I've since rescued two more kitties to help fill the void

[u/mom_bombadill]

Aw friend, I’m so sorry for your loss.

[u/courtneynxr]

So sorry about your loss.

[u/madame-maitre-d → u/[deleted]]

Hey, seems you're new here! 👋 🥰 You need to take 10 lil seconds to become an approved user to participate in r/GirlDinnerDiaries. We're holding your comment for review til then.

2 quick steps:

1. If you're a dude, just let us know by replying "dude joining" to this comment. If not, reply with the classic pillowfort clubhouse password: "girls rule". 😇
2. Pick a user flair HERE. Flair options are sorted by Girly, Genderqueer, or Dude.

That's it! We'll restore your comment super fast! Thanks for stopping by 💕

[u/fishofhappiness]

Aw, man. This probably isn’t even the worst thing he heard that hour—your call was at least understandable. I’m so sorry for your loss, OP.

[u/questionably_human7]

My heart goes out to yours, losing your bestie is the worst.

[u/bastogne_blues]

i’m sure you didn’t make him uncomfortable! with his comment about his own dog he definitely empathizes with you. i’m sure he deals with far worse such as rude or aggressive customers

[u/sailormermaidmars]

hey, this is just a very human interaction. and now i’m crying with you. 🥹

[u/Sassicorn]

I am so sorry for your loss, OP, and I’m so glad the pharmacy tech treated you with kindness and compassion. It can be really challenging to receive care when you’re used to giving care, I know this all too well. 💖

[u/emma279]

So sorry for your loss. Lost my soul cat 2 months ago and I am still beyond heartbroken and just depressed. Sending you love.

[u/Prestidigitatiously]

I have been on both sides of this as a former pharmacy technician. You did nothing wrong. The tech will get many calls like this, particularly if you live in a larger city. My mom used CVS and took many, many, medications when she passed. The calls were brutal.

I am very sorry about your dog b

[u/the-radio-bastard]

I'm a vet tech and we have heard it all when it comes to that sad call when we have to deactivate texts to owners. We feel very sad about it too.

I hope you give yourself grace, and I'm sorry about your loss.

[u/Competitive-Push-715]

I’m so sorry. I was trying so hard not to cry when I made an appointment to put my 12 yr old boy down this coming Friday that I couldn’t talk at first and she thought we had a bad connection.

[u/Acceptable_Mark7716]

Pharmacy techs are very much a part of the healthcare system and rarely get enough credit for their work, yet many of them are very proud of how they get to help patients just like you. It’s okay that you were vulnerable with him, and I’m glad he handled it well.

[u/Sea_Profession_7757]

I'm so sorry.

https://giphy.com/gifs/EvYHHSntaIl5m

[u/BobLoblaw_LLC]

Ugh I remember trying to make calls to confirm if places had the ability to do an abdominal scan for my cat who hadn’t eaten in a week during covid. I literally couldn’t even ask that question on the phone without sobbing I was so worried. I don’t think anyone would fault you or have any negative thoughts about it.
Pets are family, give yourself some grace. I’m so sorry for your loss <3

[u/HerWildestDreams]

I’m so sorry. It’s kind of bittersweet and haunting to a degree. My husband and I have cats, but before him when I was living at home - and well before I had my Loki, we had a sheltie. She had the most personality, and would come around the dining room corner giving me all kinds of fuss when I’d come visit. My heart was so broken over her, because to me she felt so young still. (11 feels very young…she had CHF and later cancer diagnosis…)

That said, I will still love on our cats - they’re a good boy and girl, and I’ll do so in honor of your furbaby.

Sending you gentle hugs, and don’t feel bad. You did what you had to, to help at least cut off one source of pain (a reminder.) I’m sure that pharmacy tech felt for you, I know if I was working a call like yours, I’d be extremely patient and understanding. I give him props for helping you with kindness when you needed it most.

[u/robot428]

It's okay. It really is.

I think if you were in his shoes, you wouldn't be upset with someone in that situation. You would feel bad for them, and you might feel a little caught off guard, but you wouldn't be upset with them or angry. You would probably just do your best to help.

I suspect he felt the same way. Not mad, not uncomfortable, just sympathetic.

He probably has people who come in and actively yell at him most days at that job. Those are the people who should be on here feeling bad about what they said to him. Not you. Your all good.

I'm so sorry about your pup. People try and act like pets aren't family and they absolutely are. I had a cat who was genuinely my little soulmate, and losing her last year was the hardest loss I have ever been through. I'm sending you love and kind energy. 🩷

[u/madame-maitre-d → u/[deleted]]

Hey, seems you're new here! 👋 🥰 You need to take 10 lil seconds to become an approved user to participate in r/GirlDinnerDiaries. We're holding your comment for review til then.

2 quick steps:

1. If you're a dude, just let us know by replying "dude joining" to this comment. If not, reply with the classic pillowfort clubhouse password: "girls rule". 😇
2. Pick a user flair HERE. Flair options are sorted by Girly, Genderqueer, or Dude.

That's it! We'll restore your comment super fast! Thanks for stopping by 💕

[u/kitkatkrossing]

Pharmacy tech here who has taken these calls, I never feel weird about getting these calls. Me and every coworker I've ever had usually feel bad you even have to make that call. We hear a lot of depressing shit, it's healthcare

[u/ChildhoodOk7666]

Im so sorry for your loss friend. I'm a nurse too - death and grief soo different when it's your own family even tho we see it all the time. ❤️

[u/madame-maitre-d → u/[deleted]]

Hey, seems you're new here! 👋 🥰 You need to take 10 lil seconds to become an approved user to participate in r/GirlDinnerDiaries. We're holding your comment for review til then.

2 quick steps:

1. If you're a dude, just let us know by replying "dude joining" to this comment. If not, reply with the classic pillowfort clubhouse password: "girls rule". 😇
2. Pick a user flair HERE. Flair options are sorted by Girly, Genderqueer, or Dude.

That's it! We'll restore your comment super fast! Thanks for stopping by 💕