10:04

Yesterday was another tough day at the hospital. Little man still wouldn’t feed, and his jaundiced levels rose considerably. Not yet at treatment level, he still requires close monitoring.

But today is a new day. And night-time texts from the wife suggest it may hold promise for the little man.
I arrive to find the boy hoovering up milk. This is great news, and my mind immediately races ahead and plans a homecoming. Not so fast. He needs to be checked for bilirubin, the protein in the blood which fails to break down until the liver kicks into gear, which causes the yellowing of the skin.

Umpteen heel prick blood tests have taken their toll, and Solomon’s heel resembles a salt shaker. Just one more, we pray. The plan is to wait until 7pm, do a final test, and if his levels have turned the corner, he may be able to come home.
The test is done, and we wait anxiously for 9pm. Please can we go home, so that the wife can get some sleep, and Solomon can finally familiarise himself with his home outside of the womb.

9pm comes and goes. As does 10pm. Its virtually too late for us to take him now, regardless of the test results.
I pray with my little family, and then turn to leave for the night. Just then the Paediatric Doctor appears. His levels are still rising, but the increase is slowing down, so he can come home if we want to go.

At last. This is a happy moment.