Sammy has jaundice, and when he had his bilirubin level tested today, it
was high enough to concern the doctor. (Maybe it was 22? Not quite
sure....) So, our insurance company was contacted, and someone came by
this afternoon with a light blanket.
This thing is a little freaky. It's a little wider than my hand, and
about 18" long, and it's attached to its power source by a tube that looks
like it belongs on a vacuum cleaner. When it's turned on, it emits this
blue glowing light. We strip Sammy down to a diaper, lay him on it, then
put his little (side-snap) shirt on around it, and then put a little
blanket around him and it, and there's this weird blue glow around him.
Dan told me not to freak out about how it all looked.
Feeding him with this contraption and wrappings all around him was
interesting. When I brought him up to my shoulder to burp him, Mom
thought the whole thing looked strange enough to make a good SF
illustration; Dan took a few pictures. If we get those scanned once
they're developed, I'll be sure to make them accessible, one way or
another.
Dan thought the whole thing made him look Borg-like.
Anyway, we have to take him back to get more blood drawn for another
bilirubin test tomorrow.
If anyone else here ever has a baby with jaundice, remember the light
blanket ought to be COOL for anyone who enjoys SF, and don't freak over
it. :)
Julia
