[a moment] when laughter is the best medicine

[moment 15]

Spending a day in the ER isn't exactly what one wants to do in the middle of the height of a global pandemic, but with covid-19 positivity rates around 25%, that's where Onyx and I were. Their pain management doctor suggested we get to the ER right away to make sure nothing urgent was happening due to Onyx's racing heart and dizzy spells that have evolved to have accompanied blurred or no vision. 

They had an ECG, blood work, and orthostatic blood pressure tests, and then we returned to the ER waiting room to see what else they had in store. As we watched Sing 2 on my phone using Onyx's bluetooth earbuds, Onyx began to laugh, and not at the movie. Where they had gotten blood drawn on their lower arm began hurting intensely and a bruise formed. This is nothing new for them, as they bruise easily and have amplified pain syndrome. The laughter isn't anything new either - they for some reason react to severe pain with uncontrollable laughter. 

This happened again a couple times as we watched and waited. If anyone was paying attention, they probably thought we were losing our minds, as Onyx's laughter was contagious.

Sixteen minutes left of the movie, we were finally called to a room, where we sat for a while listening to the hustle and bustle around us. Almost immediately someone said something very loudly that sounded a lot like, "Ya wanna stay a little longer and make out?" We burst into involuntary laughter. 

After a while nurse came in to take Onyx's blood pressure and the cuff made all the appropriate inflating noises but was inflating incredibly slowly.  Onyx seemed to be doing everything in their power to not burst out laughing once again. The nurse disconnected and reconnected the cuff and tried again to no avail. She left the room to find a different cuff. One look, and both Onyx and I were laughing. This, of course, would happen to us. Like the incredibly slow gas pump a day or two prior. 

A different cuff was obtained and tried. No luck. Finally, a portable blood pressure machine was located and used. We discussed whether or not an iv was needed, and it was determined that we'd hold off until after the x-ray to see what the doctor had to say about whether Onyx would be staying a while or would be discharged. 

We finished our movie, Onyx got their x-ray (one of the automatic doors didn't work on our way back - Onyx took full responsibility), and we were soon on our way home. 

I have a feeling we'll remember those moments of laughter and levity more than the pain and concern felt that day.