Nixon’s Courage
David Hahn
portrait
A lump detected on an unborn baby’s head; 10 days later, baby Nixon was born and a biopsy on the week-old newborn revealed a malignant Rhabdoid tumour. Aggressive treatment followed – in Nixon’s first year of life he endured 8 surgeries, 12 platelets and 11 blood transfusions plus 30 weeks of chemotherapy while Nixon and his family lived at Ronald McDonald House at Westmead Hospital. Two years later at home, Nixon enjoyed his first summer ‘head bandage free’ and is excited about starting pre-school in March when he turns 3. Thanks to plastic surgeries, he now has a full head of blonde hair.