Ignorance is Bliss (in this case)

So, this morning's report from the nurse was very good, as Melanie reported earlier. But there was one piece of information that underscores the up-and-down nature of preemies. It turns out James had 2 belly x-rays this morning, not just one as scheduled (they planned the x-ray for 6 AM to verify that he had no pneumotasis). After reviewing the image from the 1st x-ray, the doctors thought they saw some 'free air' in his belly, an air pocket outside of his bowels, in the abdomen. This is a sign of the dreaded perforation of the intestine. So, they quickly took a more detailed x-ray (probably from a different position, but we don't know the full story) to verify the finding. Fortunately, a closer look revealed no air and hence no perforation. Melanie and I were fast asleep while all of this took place early this morning. The point here is that had we been aware of the tentative diagnosis from the 1st x-ray we would have been terribly stressed until the results of the 2nd were available (usually 30 minutes from snapshot to report). We had some residual tension after hearing the news, but we have been assured that he is still doing fine and exhibiting no signs of renewed bowel troubles, though his belly is still a bit tender.