My name is Mason Laurence Collins. I was born on April 8th, 2010 at 6:49 am CDT at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois. I was premature at only 27 weeks and 3+ days; I was only 2 pounds 11.2 ounces and 15.7 inches long.
With the thoughts and prayers and work of my parents, the doctors and nurses, family, friends, and former strangers, I’ve tackled a few surgeries and graduated from a few (some long) hospital stays. Now, I am home with my parents (and my big beagle dog brother) and loving every second of it – except when I’m hungry or tired.
This blog chronicled the first year of my life. Some entries of my story shared the ups and downs and ups of my first 75 days in the NICU or my other hospital visits; other posts from home shared pictures and highlighted big milestones. Now, I share videos and pictures occasionally - but the story of my first year stays available for all to see - to learn, for perspective, to see how far we've come. If my story helps you in any way, that makes me happy.