A MUM has shared a heartbreaking photo of her tiny premature baby who had to have his left leg amputated after an incredibly difficult start to life.

Kenidee Brownbill, 24, was just 23 weeks pregnant when she gave birth to Mason — an age when babies face an extremely challenging fight for survival.

But Mason proved to be a “little fighter.” The seven-month-old micro-preemie has endured a rare infection, five life-saving surgeries, a brain bleed and the loss of his left leg.

After spending four months in hospital, Mason is now thriving at home.

Kenidee, from Oxford, said: “He amazes me every day with how strong he is and everything he has been through.

“It was a very rocky journey. There were lots of moments when we didn’t think he would make it.

“We think he will be able to walk with a prosthetic leg one day, maybe even this year, but this will come with time. I will always follow Mason’s lead and what he wants to do.”

Kenidee discovered she was pregnant with her partner, Micheal Cox, 26, in April, and the couple were “ecstatic.”

At 23 weeks, Kenidee began experiencing cramps that soon became more intense. When she arrived at hospital, doctors told her she would be having her baby that night.

“It was just three weeks after my scan. I was worried and confused as everything was fine on the scan. I just kept telling the doctors I wanted to fight for my baby.”

Mason was born on August 14 weighing just 610g — far smaller than the average newborn.

He was immediately taken to the specialist neonatal unit at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford for intensive care.

Before his birth, doctors warned Kenidee that Mason might not breathe independently or make a sound.

“But my little fighter was breathing and made a little sound.”

“When Mason was born he could fit into the palms of your hands. We saw him for the first time in a plastic bag.”

The protective wrapping helped keep his tiny body warm while he received specialist care.

Because Mason was so fragile, his parents could not hold him for three weeks.

A NICU nurse even used Kenidee’s phone to take pictures of her baby for her — photos she says she will “forever cherish.”

Mason was born with a rare infection and soon became very unwell. He was also diagnosed with NEC, a serious condition affecting the intestines of premature babies.

His bowel developed a perforation and he needed surgery at just 12 days old. Doctors warned that the procedure would be extremely difficult, but Mason pulled through.

He later had a stoma for 11 weeks until he was strong enough for it to be reversed.

Sadly, Mason also lost circulation to his lower left leg, and doctors could not determine why. His leg was eventually amputated in October.

“At first I was upset for him and worried about how losing a leg would affect his future. I was scared he would be treated differently at school.

“Now I’ve come to terms with Mason losing his leg. It still upsets me, but I’m hopeful for his future.”

Kenidee has even bought him the book What Happened to You?, about a boy with one leg, hoping it will help Mason feel understood as he grows older.

Mason was discharged from hospital on December 13, just before he turned four months old.

Now at home, he continues to attend regular hospital appointments. He is tube-fed because of an unsafe swallow and uses oxygen because of chronic lung disease, although his family is beginning to reduce his oxygen support.

“We are getting used to our new normal.

“As scary as it may be at the time, these little babies are stronger than most would think.

“Mason went through so much and still came out fighting. My life is completely different from what I expected it to be with a baby, but that’s okay.”

His family remains deeply grateful to the doctors and nurses at John Radcliffe Hospital NICU, who supported Mason throughout his remarkable journey.

Source: The Sun