I just had to face down an enraged patient in the waiting room of the clinic.

[Aristus]

6. It had nothing to do with us.

I had had a very pleasant clinic visit with him just the day before, treating him for a really bad allergy attack. All of my visits with him have been pleasant. He's always been a very nice guy.

I gave him a shot of Kenalog and told him it should hold him for a while, and would obviate the need for a daily allergy pill. He somehow got the idea that I was going to prescribe an oral medication for him. He went to the pharmacy yesterday and found no scrip waiting. That's when he blew up.

He's had a rough time of it lately. All of his belongings had been stolen, he's having a tough time finding a job, and he really hates living at the shelter. His life is coming apart, and the misunderstanding about his allergy medication was the last straw.

I empathized with him as best I could, and told him I respected the fact that he's having a great deal of trouble, but that coming into the clinic yelling, cursing, and screaming wasn't going to solve anything.

I hope he comes back for treatment, and that I see the nice-guy side of him again.