During my freshman year in high school, my science teacher assigned us to interview people in the community about how they use science in their careers. Although I don’t remember most of the people I spoke with, I can tell you that I spent meaningful time with a local community pharmacist who changed my life.
What I saw was a man who loved his career and truly cared for his patients. In an instant, I knew that I wanted to become a pharmacist, and I never wavered from that goal throughout high school.
Knowing what you want to be when you grow up at age 14 is unusual, but it is very liberating. I simply had to work backwards to figure out how to achieve my goal of becoming a pharmacist.
After high school, I chose to attend Ohio Northern University (ONU) because it had a unique pharmacy program. Rather than attending college for 2 years and then applying to the pharmacy program, ONU students were admitted to the College of Pharmacy from day one.
Although it was expensive, being in pharmacy school from day one and avoiding the risk of rejection made it worthwhile for me.
In college, I spent a lot of time in the library. Although the classwork was difficult, I did well with one exception: organic chemistry.
I did fail organic chemistry—a notorious “weed out” course—but I successfully retook the class over the summer and graduated on time with the rest of my classmates. Failing a course is a difficult stumbling block, but I stood strong and persevered.
Today, I’m thankful for the wonderful pharmacy profession for so many reasons.
First, I’m thankful that community pharmacists are the health care professionals most accessible to the public. If my local pharmacist wasn’t accessible to me, then I likely would have taken a different career path.
Second, I’m proud of the work we pharmacists do, the diversity of our career options, and the relationships we share with our patients and fellow health care providers.
Pharmacy is a profession that makes a real difference in people’s lives. It certainly has made all the difference in mine.
Call Center, England, Ignoring & Inattentive, UK, Wiltshire | Healthy | April 22, 2018
(I am seventeen years old, and claim disability benefit. Part of my autism means that I cannot speak over the phone — I literally start shaking and have a panic attack if my phone so much as starts ringing. Usually this is not a problem, as my mum will talk for me if it’s an urgent call, and the words, “Does not speak on phone,” are plastered all over my documents and disability claim form. Unfortunately, though, we’ve had some variation of this conversation too many times.)
Caller: “Hello, this is [Disability Allowance]. What can we do for you today?”
Mum: “Hi, I’m calling on behalf of my daughter.” *explains problem*
Caller: “Okay, [My Name]—”
Mum: “No, I’m her mother.”
Caller: “You’re not [My Name]?”
Mum: “No.”
Caller: “Oh, okay. Who are you? Are you the power of attorney?”
Mum: “No, I’m just her mother. She can speak for herself, just not over the phone.”
Caller: “That’s not allowed. We have to speak to [My Name].”
Mum: “But she can’t—”
Caller: “We’re not allowed to have this discussion with you without her direct consent, even if you are a blood relative. Is she there?”
Mum: “Yes, but—”
Caller: “Please pass us over to [My Name], or I will have to terminate this call. All she needs to do is give consent for you to talk on her behalf.”
Mum: *giving me an apologetic look* “So, let me get this straight… You want my autistic daughter to talk to you over the phone, to tell you she can’t talk over the phone?“
Brazil, Drug Store, Jerk, Pets & Animals | Healthy | April 21, 2018
(I go to a human drugstore to get a new insulin vial for my diabetic cat, since his last one is expired. He’s been diagnosed and treated for four months now, and I have been handling his insulin shots every day, twice a day, ever since. I bring the old box with me, so I’m sure I’ll get the right one. In Brazil, you can have insulin over the counter, no prescriptions needed. Also, every drugstore has a fidelity card that offers discounts, and most of the health cares have partnerships that give you discounts; you just have to show your health care card. A third way to get a discount — a big one — is when you register with the manufacturer; it’s a long form you have to fill, with your doctor’s information, treatment details, etc.)
Me: “Hi, I’d like a small vial for this insulin.” *hands the box* “I also would like to check both fidelity and health care discounts.”
Employee: *cheerful* “You know, you could get the manufacturer’s discount for it.”
Me: “Yeah, I know, but it’s for my diabetic cat, so they couldn’t take us.”
Employee: *makes weird face*
Me: *uncomfortable, trying to be cheerful* “Yeah, unfortunately they didn’t accept felines for that. That’s a ‘humans-only’ kind of benefit.”
Employee: *goes to hand me the vial, backs off, looking at me as if I’m a child* “You know this needs to be kept on the fridge, right?”
Me: “Yeah, I know. I also need a ten-pack of syringes.”
Employee: *still making the weird face* “Syringes for what?”
Me: “Uh, insulin. I need the smaller ones, because he only takes two units at a time.”
Employee: *proceeds to teach me how to use the syringes, very patronizingly, ignoring the fact that I may know how to do it since I just gave her an empty box of insulin* “What gauge size you need?”
Me: “I never had to choose between gauge sizes, but since he’s a cat, I believe the smaller ones.”
Employee: “What size is he?”
Me: “Uh, cat size? About four kilos.”
Employee: *weird face*
Me: “Sooo, I guess I’ll take the small ones.”
Employee: *reluctantly gives me my stuff, still looking at me as if I was committing a crime*
Denton, Health & Body, High School, Students, Teachers, Texas, USA | Healthy | April 20, 2018
(I’m in anatomy and physiology class, self-grading a test we just did on the cardiovascular system. Since everyone’s grading their tests as a class, the teacher is going over the questions and answers aloud. As is the case on every test, some of the answers are flexible, as long as she can understand what you were trying to refer to.)
Teacher: “Numbers 52 and 53: what instruments are used to measure blood pressure? ‘Stethoscope,’ and I’ll take, ‘blood pressure cuff.’ If you said, ‘sphygmomanometer,’ I’ll take that, too.”
New York, Pharmacy, Rude & Risque, USA | Healthy | April 19, 2018
(I have just started my first job at a local pharmacy and convenience store, and it is my third day of training. I am standing behind the counter with an older coworker of mine. We hear the door open, and look over.)
Customer: *quickly walks through the doors and to the other end of the floor, where the pharmacy is*
Me: *looking at my coworker* “Was she…”
Coworker: *taking a sip of an energy drink* “…not wearing any pants? Welcome to the job, kid.”
Bad Behavior, Dentist, France, Patients | Healthy | April 18, 2018
(I study dentistry in France, where you work at a dental clinic starting on your fourth year. Every half day, you’re in a different service. For example, on Tuesday mornings, I take care of cavities and the like, and on Friday afternoons I remove teeth. To remove a tooth, you obviously have to anesthetize the patient locally, and, for medical reasons, you cannot do that if the patient has taken drugs recently — especially cocaine — or you could cause them to have a heart attack. Although it is a rare occurrence and most likely wouldn’t happen anyway, we still can’t knowingly inject a drugged patient with adrenalin, which is part of our anesthesiant. A patient I know from a different service comes to have a tooth removed. Since I’ve already seen him and his file, I know he is a drug addict. On this particular day, he is acting very “twitchy.”)
Me: *after five minutes of chatting about the treatment I already performed on him while we set up the operation table* “So, have you taken any drugs lately?”
Patient: “You have to be more precise; I’ve been on drugs my entire life!”
Me: “Hm, how about that last week?”
Patient: “Sure.”
Me: “What have you taken?”
Patient: “A bit of everything, really.”
Me: “What about cocaine?”
Patient: “Oh, yeah.”
Me: “In the last three days?”
Patient: *more or less jokingly* “Are you the police? Why are you questioning me?”
Me: “Well, sir, I can’t anesthetize you if you’ve taken cocaine recently; that could cause you to have a heart attack. I personally don’t care; it’s for your sake. So, when’s the last time you’ve taken cocaine?”
Patient: “Hm… Half an hour ago.”
(I resisted the urge to face-palm and informed the patient that I could not legally or ethically remove his tooth. He told me that he had come plenty of times, been anesthetized and never had any issue, but I still refused and sent him away. I told him to come back clean after the weekend and wrote about the incident in his file, warning the next student to check whether he is clean or not. He will probably come back high as a kite and just lie about having taken anything, but at least it will not be my responsibility, then.)
California, Doctors, Medical Office, Sacramento, Students, USA | Healthy | April 17, 2018
(I am 37 weeks pregnant and am having an ultrasound on my baby to monitor his kidneys, which are enlarged, but otherwise healthy. A very nice student tech is doing the ultrasound under the watchful eye of the attending OB/GYN and the supervising tech, who are viewing the video in the next room. The student is being very careful and thorough, trying to get good pictures of every structure, and is taking a LONG time. Finally, the supervising ultrasound tech comes in, cackling, and addresses the student.)
Supervisor: “Dr. [OB] says if you keep her in here much longer, she’s going to have to deliver her right on this table.”
(She wasn’t too far off; I went into labor shortly afterward!)
Food & Drink, Indiana, Medical Office, Nurses, USA | Healthy | April 16, 2018
(I have recently gotten pregnant with my first child, and am at my OB/GYN having an initial consult with a nurse practitioner who appears to be in her mid-50s. We are going over restrictions now that I’m pregnant. My family are avid fishermen, and my husband and I regularly eat the freshwater fish we catch.)
Nurse Practitioner: “Here’s a pamphlet on fish and seafood. Research has really helped recently, so there’s a comprehensive list of what types of fish are safe and which ones you should limit.”
Me: *looking over list, and noticing it’s only ocean fish* “Okay, but what about freshwater fish? Are there risks or restrictions on those?”
Nurse Practitioner: “It should be on the list; they have types listed there.”
Me: “No, I know, but these are all ocean fish: salmon, tuna, cod, etc. I’m talking about freshwater fish. My family and I catch and eat locally, and at our cabin in Minnesota:perch, bluegill, northern pike. Are those okay?”
Nurse Practitioner: “I’ve literally never had anyone ask me that.”
Me: “Really?”
Nurse Practitioner: “I guess I don’t get many patients who fish! I’d say it’d be okay to eat those as long as you ensure that they’re cooked thoroughly.”
(It surprised me that in a rural area, a nurse practitioner with that much experience wouldn’t have come across that before!)
Bizarre, Germany, Medical Office, Patients | Healthy | April 13, 2018
(I’m standing at the reception desk of my doctor’s office when suddenly I hear a woman yell
Woman: “I don’t have blood anymore!”
(I do a mental double-take since the receptionist seems completely unfazed.)
Woman: “Mrs. [Receptionist]! I don’t have blood anymore!”
(The receptionist looks up, smiling benevolently. Just as I start to wonder what the heck is going on, a female doctor’s assistant walks up to the reception desk, trailed by a courier carrying a sealed box.)
Doctor’s Assistant: “Mrs. [Receptionist], the courier is here; all the blood samples will be sent out now.”
(Finally, it clicked. So, there wasn’t a vampire phlebotomist on the loose!)
Awesome Workers, British Columbia, Canada, Medical Office, Patients, Victoria, Volunteer | Healthy | April 11, 2018
(I donate blood regularly. One time, when they insert the needle, I immediately feel lightheaded for a second or two. Since I have not yet lost more than a few drops of blood, definitely not enough to cause a significant loss of blood pressure, I assume it was just a psychosomatic reaction to having such a large needle inserted, shrug it off, and decide to continue with the draw. A few minutes later, it comes back again, and with a vengeance.)
Me: *raising hand shakily* “Um… Excuse me?”
(I immediately have three technicians surrounding me.)
Technician: “Are you okay?”
Me: “I’m feeling a bit lightheaded.”
(They spring into action, immediately removing the needle. One of them reclines my seat so my feet are elevated above my head, one goes to grab damp cloths, which they drape over every inch of exposed skin I have, and one goes to grab me a juice box to increase my blood sugar. After a while, the seat is returned to its regular position, and they continue feeding me juice. I am eventually allowed to go to the recovery area, with two people escorting in case I pass out on the way. Once I sit down, I call my friend who I was supposed to meet to tell her I’ll be delayed. Partway through the conversation, I hear running steps behind me, then feel a hand on my shoulder. I look up to see a woman with a very concerned expression, who looks at me for a moment and then laughs.)
Volunteer: “Oh, you’re on your cell phone! I thought you were talking to yourself!”
Me: “Oh, no. I’m just letting my friend know I’m going to be late.”
Volunteer: “Oh, good.”
Friend: “What was that?”
Me: “Oh, the volunteer thought I was talking to myself. Can you imagine that? ‘Oh, great! First he nearly passes out, and now he’s hallucinating!'”
(They eventually let me go, and I was only 30 minutes late to meet my friend. Fortunately, while everything was going on, one of the techs mentioned I had filled most of a bag, and when I asked if it could still be used, he assured me it could.)
Awesome Workers, British Columbia, Canada, Medical Office, Patients, Victoria, Volunteer | Healthy | April 11, 2018
(I donate blood regularly. One time, when they insert the needle, I immediately feel lightheaded for a second or two. Since I have not yet lost more than a few drops of blood, definitely not enough to cause a significant loss of blood pressure, I assume it was just a psychosomatic reaction to having such a large needle inserted, shrug it off, and decide to continue with the draw. A few minutes later, it comes back again, and with a vengeance.)
Me: *raising hand shakily* “Um… Excuse me?”
(I immediately have three technicians surrounding me.)
Technician: “Are you okay?”
Me: “I’m feeling a bit lightheaded.”
(They spring into action, immediately removing the needle. One of them reclines my seat so my feet are elevated above my head, one goes to grab damp cloths, which they drape over every inch of exposed skin I have, and one goes to grab me a juice box to increase my blood sugar. After a while, the seat is returned to its regular position, and they continue feeding me juice. I am eventually allowed to go to the recovery area, with two people escorting in case I pass out on the way. Once I sit down, I call my friend who I was supposed to meet to tell her I’ll be delayed. Partway through the conversation, I hear running steps behind me, then feel a hand on my shoulder. I look up to see a woman with a very concerned expression, who looks at me for a moment and then laughs.)
Volunteer: “Oh, you’re on your cell phone! I thought you were talking to yourself!”
Me: “Oh, no. I’m just letting my friend know I’m going to be late.”
Volunteer: “Oh, good.”
Friend: “What was that?”
Me: “Oh, the volunteer thought I was talking to myself. Can you imagine that? ‘Oh, great! First he nearly passes out, and now he’s hallucinating!'”
(They eventually let me go, and I was only 30 minutes late to meet my friend. Fortunately, while everything was going on, one of the techs mentioned I had filled most of a bag, and when I asked if it could still be used, he assured me it could.)
Hospital, Ignoring & Inattentive, Nurses, UK | Healthy | April 9, 2018
(A group of friends and I have been out drinking. Someone in the last pub becomes belligerent after the barman cuts him off. Things happen, and we end up in A&E after one friend — very drunk by this point — gets glassed in the face. As his boyfriend, I have the pleasure of sitting beside him while a nurse is stitching him up.)
Boyfriend: “Am I going to die?”
Nurse: “Yes.”
Boyfriend: “WHAT? OH, GOD!”
Me: “Is it that serious? Shouldn’t he be in surgery or something?”
Nurse: “What? Sorry, I have to concentrate. You wanted a drink, right? I could get you a glass of water.”
Me: “No, he asked if he was dying.”
Nurse: *looking mortified* “Oh, no. You can go after we’re done.”
The 12 Most Dangerous Bugs to Watch Out for This Summer and How to Protect Yourself
Black widow spiders are typically black with two attached reddish triangles on their back, according to Brittany Campbell, PhD, an Entomologist with the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). These spiders are roughly the size of a paper clip and have venom 15 times stronger than a rattlesnake’s, Campbell says. It could cause muscle aches, nausea, and trouble breathing. Although Campbell says fatalities are rare, females black widow spiders might bite more often than males as a defense.
How to protect yourself: Campbell says people can reduce their risk of black widow spider bites by reducing clutter in basements and garages, eliminating the favorite hiding spots for these spiders. And make sure to wear gloves while cleaning along with these other steps to avoid insect dangerous summer bugs and their bites or stings.
Learn to recognize these dangerous insects—and how to protect yourself.
With a lifespan of nearly 30 years, tarantula spiders can grow to almost the size of a personal pizza. Most tarantulas are afraid of large predators (like humans) but if provoked—watch out! Though their venom isn’t deadly, it’s not pleasant and can cause rashes and pain at the biting point. That’s partly why you shouldn’t ignore spider bites or these 7 other bug bites.
How to protect yourself: The best way to protect yourself against tarantulas is to keep them away as much as possible. Like black widow spiders, tarantulas love small, dark spaces. So keep your space neat, clean, and organized as much as possible. Regularly dust and wear protective clothing while working in a hot spot for spiders
Africanized “killer” bees look so much like European honey bees that the only way to tell the two apart is to measure their bodies, according to Campbell. These bees are slightly smaller and have a golden color with darker bands of brown. Although Africanized bee venom isn’t more dangerous than regular honeybee venom, the former tend to attack in greater, more dangerous numbers, Campbell says. If Africanized bees attack you, run quickly to shelter in a zig-zag pattern as soon as possible, Campbell suggests.
How to protect yourself: You can avoid attracting bees to certain areas by keeping both food and garbage in sealed containers, according to Campbell. Also, rinse out food containers before throwing them away. Finally, avoid wearing dark colors, floral prints, loose-fitting clothes, and sweet-smelling perfume or cologne to avoid attracting bees, Campbell says.
There are about 170 different mosquito species in North America alone. Some of the most dangerous ones, according to Campbell, are the Culex mosquito, the Asian Tiger mosquito, and the Yellow Fever mosquito. Mosquitos are one of the most dangerous summer bugs because they spread diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, West Nile virus, and Zika, among others, Campbell says.
How to protect yourself: “Wearing an insect repellent containing DEET or another EPA-registered ingredient is the best way to prevent mosquito bites,” Campbell says. It’s also essential to prevent mosquito breeding grounds around your home since they can lay eggs in as little as half an inch of water. Mosquito repellent works well because of the smell, and that has to do with why certain people attract mosquitoes more than others
Red fire ants are more of a dark reddish brown and have six legs and antennae. “They get their common name from their ability to inflict painful bites and stings,” Campbell says. This could also equal an allergic reaction in some people.
How to protect yourself: Stay very far away from their telltale mound nests. They usually nest in the soil near structural foundations or in landscaping, according to Campbell. They are also on golf courses, at picnic grounds, and at playgrounds. And although these ants are often outside, they could get inside the home through HVAC systems or AC units, Campbell warns. To prevent red ants from entering a structure, seal all internal and external cracks and crevices. If you already have an ant problem, you might want to try these common items that could get rid of ants.
There are a few different species of paper wasps. They are mostly brown with some yellow, but each has various bands of color that differentiate them. No matter the type of paper wasp, they will sting if you disturb their nest or somehow threaten them. Otherwise, they’re not really an aggressive species by nature, Campbell says. If you are stung, however, it will be painful and can cause the same risk of allergic reaction as other insect stings.
How to protect yourself: Campbell says the best way to prevent a paper wasp infestation, and the potential of getting stung, is to make the home less attractive to the bug. So before trimming hedges, picking fruit, or doing yard work, check for paper wasp nests. Like with other dangerous summer bugs, it’s also key to seal any cracks in the home, repair tears on screens, cover open food, and avoid wearing strong fragrances outside. You should also get rid of these things in your house that are attracting pests.
Adult brown recluse spiders range from tan to dark brown, and they have six eyes in three groups of two. These spiders could bite and inject venom that requires a trip to the emergency room. The venom might cause dead tissue and may require plastic surgery, in some cases, Campbell says. Not all brown recluse spiders result in ulcer formation, and other spider bites might cause a similar reaction, too.
How to protect yourself: Preventing brown recluse spiders from entering your home is the main way to avoid bites, per Campbell. Seal any small openings or holes in your house to keep them out. Wear protective clothing and gloves when moving firewood, since spiders like to hide in stacked wood. Try not to leave clothes and shoes on the floor and shake them out before wearing, especially if you store them in the basement, garage, or other dark areas.
With a crab-like appearance, scorpions are predatory and often come out at night. Scorpions like warm, dry climates and are often in deserts. Take precautions when hiking and camping by keeping shoes, blankets, and towels secured indoors. Stings can feel much like a Honeybee sting with mild swelling, a rash, or they may be more serious.
How to protect yourself: You can protect yourself from scorpions by also eliminating standing water, sealing cracks around your doors or windows, and turning your outdoor lights off at night to ward off crickets—an insect scorpions love to eat
Ticks
Ticks automatically come to mind when you think of the most dangerous summer bugs. But, ticks are technically arachnids, not insects, Campbell says. Still, you need to especially watch out for “hard ticks” which feed on humans and pets. Ticks can carry Lyme disease along with other diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, or tularemia, among others, according to Campbell. These diseases could result in rashes, fever, chills, and headaches. Plus, Lyme disease also affects joints along with the heart and nervous system if untreated.
How to protect yourself: Ticks can attach themselves to exposed skin so after time spent outdoors, it’s important to do a full body check for ticks. “Check children for ticks when they come into the house because it takes up to four hours, possibly longer, for the tick to start feeding,” Campbell says. It’s also a good idea to use tick repellents, tuck your pants into socks or boots while outdoors, and keep grass, weeds, and other debris piles low. Here is how to effectively protect yourself from ticks.
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