Hi Team! There is so much that has happened, and I do want to apologize. But I will be keeping this site up to date from now on. So much good has happened in the last four months. After Disney, Olivia and the boys graduated. Tyler and Spencer are set to start high school on August 16th and Olivia is set to start her master’s program on August 28th. The Rodden kids are EDUCATED, and excited.
Some High Points:
Tyler got his Make-A-Wish
Tyler and Spencer went to Italy
Tyler and Spencer went to Improv Theater Camp
Tyler got an electric chair that has made major improvements in his mobility and also his morale
TIPS< HOUSEKEEPIN< PLEASE READ
MAKE A WISH
This is huge. Both sides of the family will be making the trek to Alaska, to see and do whatever Tyler wants. He loves the air, nature, and the beauty that Alaska holds. As his sister, I seem to think that he fell in love with Alaska after the cruise he went on with Mom and Dad, and Spence. He wouldn’t stop talking about the lichen, and he loves the nitty gritty of nature and honors that beauty. I love to see it. Stay tuned for pictures and update both here and on our parents’ Instagrams.
ITALY
A trip to Sardina with his mother’s side of the family. It was great to catch up and see cousins and experience their culture. This trip was met with some difficulty with flights being canceled and an ER stay prior to the flight. Either way, we are happy that he came back home healthy and is doing well.
IMPROV THEATRE CAMP
Because of his new electronic wheelchair, Tyler was able to fully participate independently with an electric wheelchair. He can go on walks with the dogs, participate on stage and socialize without an adult as his source of movement– meaning he can form genuine connections with people his age. The boys got to do the classic icebreakers, play theater games and meet their incoming classmates. This was originally going to be a camp that just Spencito participated in, but Tyler hopped in and we are all so glad that he did.
ELECTRIC MOBILE WHEELCHAIR
This has changed absolutely everything with the mental state of Tyler. I, as his sister was getting to a point, where I was worried about his overall morale. He just seemed tired and over the roundabout of his situation. We as a family have a joke about “honoring autonomy”-- like when I would wrestle with the boys or our dogs just don’t understand personal boundaries. Well, there is some truth in that statement. Once Tyler got to go on a walk without a parent and the dogs with Spencer, he was happier. He was able to navigate around the house independently and pop around the corners and mess with Spencer. He gained autonomy and that is so huge. Because it changed him. He takes fewer naps, he has more energy, he participates in more things, he is happier, and he is more like himself. I do believe that this paired with the progress in his treatment contributes to him walking around more and bending down more to pet the dogs. It is crazy and magical how one thing can change the whole morale projection of his prognosis.
HOSPITAL VISITS AND SCANS
Tyler has been in and out of the ER. Those updates get posted in real-time on social media, but for a summary, I will give the basic reasons why he is there. Basically, the medication that he is taking is causing discomfort with his skin, causing rashes and overall discomfort. This discomfort can be with his skin or in his mouth with eating or loss of appetite. Meaning that if it’s not an infection (like the last visit), it is a dehydration issue. He gets fluids, an overall check, and is sent home.
This last trip to the doctor was because he needed an IV and had MRI scans to measure his tumor. Good news this time around, his tumor hasn’t grown, and it hasn’t shrunk– it has maintained. His brain swelling is down. I.e., the walking, increased talking, and mobility. We are happy campers.
AQUA KNIGHTS UPDATES
Tyler has been going to time trials this summer to see and support his team. He and the family recently went to their Christmas in July celebration and there is an upcoming scholarship gifting. One of Tyler’s biggest causes that he wants to highlight in this time, was to give back to the very team that gave him so much passion and drive. Stay tuned for that update and pictures.
HOUSEKEEPING
Where can you find info? : Here, yes it will be updated more frequently or Instagram
Should you reach out/ Comment?: Of course, support is always appreciated, however, let’s all remember that the parents you're messaging are living this every day as well as working. If you feel it is an emergency, reach out to Olivia, come to the website, and see Katie’s story.
Word of Mouth: If you get updated via phone call or text by Katie, Erich, or Olivia, you can carry those conversations. But commenting on insta, random texts, and more where you are requesting status updates can be overwhelming, a bother, and a harsh reminder of what is happening. Please wait to hear the information from the outlets you have access to.
Use of language: This sucks. We all are sorry. Not many people know what to say when trying their empathy or sympathy for a situation. I ask that you stop saying sorry.
Here are two suggestions:
"I'm not sure what to say, but I want you to know I care".
"If you would like to talk about it, I'm here
Ways you can show support
The GoFundMe
Offer Door Dash or Uber Eats or even a grocery store trip
Showing up for or donating to the causes that Tyler cares about