Letter From a Patient

Dear Medicine Shoppe of Largo,

I want to say thanks to my new amazing pharmacy. Thank you for making the necessity of getting prescriptions filled one less thing to worry about. Just as my needed prescriptions improve my quality of life so does having you all as my pharmacy. 

Lately compassion is rarely seen in medical professions, especially pharmacies, unless you are a customer of The Mine Shoppe of Largo. Both my mother and I felt like family from the start. Compassion and kindness is their language in addition to incredible knowledge and professionalism. I had been a customer for a big corporation pharmacy for 19 years. 

I have had chronic illness for as long and it took me a few years to find a pharmacy with employees who I thought were the best until sudden recent changes I was forced to find a new pharmacy. I thought it would be impossible. To start new after 19 years with all I go through with my prescriptions was beyond frightening. I get a great deal of prescriptions per month, many special order and many just a pain to deal with when it comes to insurance covering and such. My pharmacist and team have to be as knowledagble as they are kind and go far above and beyond typical work day for me.

The first day I met owner/pharmacist George and Pharmacy tech E.J., I knew I had found what I needed and even more than I imagined, I did not think such treatment was even out there. Then getting to know more of the staff it only got better and better. They worked out putting all my meds on a schedule so I could receive them same day each month, this feat alone I never was offered before at other pharmacy or even thought possible and am incredibly grateful. Their kindness, compassion and work ethic are the best I have ever known.

Thank you for making living with chronic illness and dependent upon prescriptions one step easier. Thank you for taking away the anxiety of having to meet a new person every time I walk into pharmacy, who sees me as a number only. Thank you for making me feel like family, loyal customer, neighbor and friend. They are simply the best.

Truly grateful.

Your friend,
Emily 

THE MEDICINE SHOPPE PHARMACY TO HOST COMMUNITY HEALTH TALK TO EDUCATE ABOUT STROKE

May is National Stroke Awareness Month. In order to help the community understand the risk factors and symptoms of stroke, a leading cause of death and serious long-term disability in the United States, The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy of Largo is presenting a Community Health Presentation at The Palms of Largo to launch a community awareness initiative on the risk factors and prevention of stroke.

 

The presentation will be held on the first floor of Cypress Palms on Tuesday June 25^th at noon. Attendance is free and lunch will be provided. Cypress Palms is located at 400 Lake Ave NE, Largo, FL 33771. The event will offer free blood pressure and cholesterol screening, stroke awareness materials, and a presentation by guest speaker E.J. Thompson, who has been in pharmacy for 10 years and is in EMS. Please contact Leah Einboden at 727-559-7888 to reserve your spot for the presentation.

 

“Time is crucial in the treatment of stroke, as on average, every 40 second someone in the United States has a stroke and roughly every four minutes someone dies from a stroke,” said E.J., who lost a relative to stroke at age 31. “The earlier a stroke is recognized and the patient receives medical attention, the greater chance of recovery.”

 

Strokes occur when a blood vessel carrying oxygen and vital nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or ruptures. When this occurs, part of the brain is deprived of blood and oxygen, destroying millions of valuable nerve cells within minutes.

 

“If you suspect a stroke, remember the word FAST- F-A-S-T,” said Dr. George Liristis, pharmacy director of The Medicine Shoppe of Largo. “F is for face- is your face drooping? A is for arms- can you lift both arms? S is for speech- are you slurring your words and T is for time, call 9-1-1 immediately because with stroke, time is brain.”

The primary stroke symptoms include:

·         Sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the face or facial drooping

·         Sudden numbness or weakness in an arm or leg, especially on one side of the body

·         Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech

·         Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes

·         Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination

·         Sudden severe headache with no known cause

 

About Stroke

 

Stroke is a leading cause of death and serious, long-term disability in the United States. According to the American Stroke Association, approximately 795,000 people experience a new or recurrent stroke each year, and 87 percent of these are ischemic strokes. An acute ischemic stroke occurs when an obstruction, such as a blood clot, blocks blood flow to the brain. The obstruction deprives the brain of blood and oxygen, destroying valuable nerve cells in the affected area within minutes. The resulting damage can lead to significant disability including paralysis, speech problems and emotional difficulties.

 

Treatment may be available if you get to the emergency room immediately upon recognition of stroke symptoms. Leading a healthy lifestyle, including lowering risk factors like high blood pressure and weight, can also help reduce your stroke risk.

 

For more information about stroke, visit www.strokeawareness.com