Rhett’s Story

Site created on February 14, 2021

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. 

February 8, 2021 was a tough day for the Flaten Family. A normal day of family chaos unexpectedly turned to shock and disbelief. Kyle and Katie's three year old son, Rhett, was complaining of severe pain in his stomach. Fearing a bowel obstruction or appendicitis, Kyle and Katie took him to be evaluated at Tomah Health. 

After doing some preliminary imaging, the doctors informed them that Rhett didn't have a stomach issue (besides constipation), but that the image spotted a worrisome shadow suspected to be some form of tumorous cancer. Rhett was immediately transported overnight to UW Health’s American Family Children’s Hospital where he was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma. 

After more imaging and tests, It became clear that a growth was engulfing his spine and compressing a thoracic region of his spinal cord. A fantastic team of doctors, nurses, surgeons, and other specialists have taken over his case and developed a rigorous chemotherapy treatment plan that Rhett has already begun.
The plan involves hitting this cancer hard and aggressively for the best possible outcome. Rhett will also need radiation and/or a major surgery if the chemotherapy shrinks the tumor as we all hope. 

A very long treatment and healing journey is now in motion and their family could use all the prayers and support possible. Kyle and Katie are with Rhett 100% of the time, and have been staying at the hospital with him night and day while their other three children have been home with grandmother. 

As you can imagine, this puts everything else on hold. Kyle and Katie will have to take a step back from regular life obligations in order to care for Rhett. Life will include managing the family with 3 other kids, the health needs of Rhett, and taking trips back and forth to Madison at least once a week, for overnight stays that can last days at a time. These are just a few of the things that will be consuming their days. 

This new normal also leaves little to no time for Katie and Kyle to run their family business they’ve worked extremely hard to build in recent years. Lost income, business, and growth is inevitable as they fight alongside Rhett. 
Many people will be wondering how they can help....This is how. Kyle and Katie need to spend their time with Rhett and the other children. They want him to be able to have his Mommy and Daddy with him through all of his challenging times ahead. 

If you are able to donate, please help Rhett through his fight against cancer. The family will be incredibly grateful. 

With all the overwhelming changes happening so fast, Kyle and Katie have asked people to use Caring Bridge for their questions, comments, and support in regards to Rhett’s treatment and developing prognosis. 

The following is the link to Rhett’s Caring Bridge Page: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/rhettflaten  (https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/rhettflaten ) (https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/rhettflaten  (https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/rhettflaten )) (https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/rhettflaten)

Again, Kyle and Katie need this time with Rhett and their family. Currently, there are no visitors allowed in the hospital. Once Rhett gets to come home, they have asked for no surprise visitors. Rhett will have a compromised immune system and will be actively undergoing chemotherapy. 

They have the goal of trying to minimize his risk to infection as much as possible. 

Please consider donating to this amazing family and amazing little man.

Newest Update

Journal entry by Katie Flaten

Today we are Madison for another round of chemo. Lots of play time, cruising the halls in his car, and munching a bit on fruit. Lots of snuggles and funny snap chat filters today too. 

Overall, Rhett is in good spirits and making the most out of his time here. He really loves the staff. They do a great job and making him feel as special as he truly is.  💙
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