JANUARY • 2023
Welcome to 2023! A new year ahead of us. May it be a good one, and bring us joy and peace.
The year just past brought many changes – and some of the milestones came with tears.
In 2022, Teisha’s Place gave eight people the gift of not worrying where they would live while getting treatment at OHSU. A serious diagnosis is just the start of a long process fraught with challenges big and small, and having a safe, warm, comfortable place to stay while dealing with medical issues helps tremendously. And every one of YOU, the community of Teisha’s Place, made that possible.
James was with us as the year rolled over to January 2022, and with recovery under his belt was able to move to Reedsport.
Chad came in February and stayed while undergoing double transplant. At the end of May he went home to Wenatchee, WA for comfort care.
In June, Garrett arrived by Life Flight. He spent one night before going home to Bandon.
A week later the house was prepared to welcome Chance and Nikki, but the day Nikki was to move in Chance died. Without a doubt, 2022 had its ups and downs.
From the Summer Solstice to the end of August we hosted Kyle. Covid delayed his surgery but we were able to extend his stay through surgery and recovery. He is now cancer-free, and has found a new home in Portland.
After a quick turn-around, the house was ready for Brad and his wife Lois, who came to stay for a month. Brad had a transplant, then they returned to their home in Brookings.
Scheduling people is often fluid, as circumstances change and complications crop up. Nacho, from the Dalles, was originally scheduled to begin his transplant in early November but got right up to transplant day before being delayed, most likely because of donor issues. That delay allowed us to house Mehra and wife Skylar for a couple of weeks in November, while Mehra had chemo and radiation.
Mehra stayed until Nacho’s transplant was rescheduled, and then graciously found accommodations through OHSU’s social workers at the Rood Center. This allowed Nacho’s transplant to proceed, because you can’t have a transplant if you don’t have stable housing and a caregiver.
On November 26th, Nacho and wife Caitlin moved in. Things are going well for them, and they are enjoying their "home away from home.” During the ice storm before Christmas they were able to hunker down inside and stay warm. Fortunately, the power did not go out!
On a very cold afternoon, Nacho tried the bathtub – jets, disco lights, and all. He told Caitlin, “This is the best day of my life!” Caitlin wrote, “The house is such a blessing, and a wonderful place to stay.”
Special Remembrance to those that passed in 2022. All of these honorees are family or friends of Teisha, and we know there were cheers and hugs.
Lori Agresta remembered by her husband Paul Christopolos; friends Flo Newton, and Anna and Danny Costa – “Your charity meant so much to our beautiful Lori. Thank you for the wonderful work you do;” and anonymous donors from Your Cause.
Penny Kennedy remembered by her daughter Charis Kennedy.
Diane Reynolds remembered by her brother-in-law Claude Culver and his daughter-in-law Cathy Culver, who died of covid within a month of each other.
Ned Stafford lovingly remembered by his wife Faith Stafford; family Glenn and Linda Schuessler, and Ryan and Catherine Schuessler; and friends Cindy and John Lewis, Tricia Smith, Lynae Forbes, Linda Shoemaker, and Flo Newton.
Dell Smith is cherished by family and friends Jan and Tony Bonn, and Ray and Anne Worden: “In memory of Dell Smith. His presence was so awesome, and his contributions so many and varied during his outstanding life. He gave me so much guidance and friendship, as he did to so many.”
Our final tribute is to Dell Smith, father to Julie and Jake and wonderful dad to Teisha. He was involved in a terrible car accident, and his injuries were more than a body can take. Dell left this world on December 11, 2022. He is and will be so missed.
We are holding Deb and family in our hearts, as they find their way to a new normal. Part of that new normal for Deb is having some time away, for herself. She is stepping back from her role as the guiding force behind Teisha’s Place, and the Board is stepping up to cover operations. Deb knows that Teisha’s Place is bigger than any one person, and its mission will continue.
Deb gives her thanks to Board members Shelly, Gia, Mo, and to Allison Picard for writing the newsletter.
MARCH • 2022
Covid severely curtailed the number of leukemia transplants in 2021 and approximately 200 patients were deferred because the risks of a transplant during a pandemic outweighed the benefits. This meant that Teisha’s Place experienced a shift in who needed help. Departments like the radiology unit at OHSU called on us to provide housing for people with new forms of cancer combined with homelessness.
Philip completed surgery for brain cancer and needed weeks of radiation while recovering. Before seizures led to the discovery of his brain tumor he told me that he lived in a tent in the Eugene/Springfield area. After three and a half months of treatment the awesome social workers at OHSU worked to find him permanent housing in NW Portland.
James was undergoing daily radiation therapy for a large tumor that was wrapped around his jugular. When his social worker caught wind that James had lost his home in a divorce and only had his car to live in, I got the call to see if Teisha’s was available and could be an option while he completed a full month of treatment. From mid-December to mid-January, he made daily trips to OHSU and then rested comfortably at Teisha’s Place. He sent a text his first night, “Thank you so much. I couldn’t have imagined a week ago I would have such a great safe place to be. I wish I could express the gratitude I feel. “ His treatment regimen completed, he traded his car for a pickup and camper and moved to Reedsport.
And it’s always gratifying to hear from the front-line workers at the hospital, in this case the social worker from in the Radiology Department:
Thank you so much for your care of our folks! I know that your lodging and care has meant a great deal recently to Philip and James! It is SO appreciated! In their cases it very well may have meant the difference between a warm, safe and friendly place to be and quite possibly living outside amidst treatment for cancer.
In February 2022 we welcomed Chad and his wife Colleen from Wenatchee, Washington. Their two children (6 and 9 years old) are staying with grandparents while Chad undergoes a tandem transplant for an aggressive testicular cancer. A tandem transplant is when his own cells are donated, scrubbed clean of cancer, and then donated back to him. Then the process is repeated to hopefully ensure that the cancer is gone. We expect the family to stay until June and hope that their children will be able to visit now and then.
Teisha’s Place takes a village of friends to keep it up and running. Special thanks to friends Roger Martin and Jim Poplack for helping to move Philip to his new apartment and preparing the house for Chad and Colleen. Thanks also to Renee and Wyatt Brambilla for a huge assist in the yard! And to friends who send donations every month like we are one of their utility bills …. you keep the lights on and we think you are amazing.
We also receive many donations from families to honor the memory of a loved one. In January and February Covid took Claude Culver and Cathy Culver, and I want to share the letter I received from Mark Smith’s mom:
Dear Deb, I write this note to you with a very sad and heavy heart. In April 2021, you so graciously offered my son, Mark Smith, Teisha’s Place, to stay while undergoing 10 days of full body radiation at OHSU, for his cancer. In late August 2021 while still recovering from his treatments, Mark was exposed to Covid. After almost 3 weeks in ICU, and after life support was no longer helping, we asked God to accept Mark into heaven on September 13, 2021. I am so grateful to you for what you did for Mark during a very difficult time and what you have done for so many others and continue to do every day. Keeping Teisha’s memory alive in this way is wonderful. I share your pain, and you will always be in my heart.
And you dear reader are also in our hearts. This periodic newsletter is intended to keep you informed of activity at the house, but we never want them to clutter your mailbox or email. So, it’s ok to let us know that you are simplifying your life and you want to get off a list. But if these letters feed your heart and soul because you know the trials of sickness, have loved ones suffering or lost, or you’ve been granted the illusive gift of good health and longevity, you are a friend of Teisha’s Place, and we appreciate you and you’ll keep getting an update every couple of months.
— Deb, Teisha’s Mom
DECEMBER • 2021
“I couldn’t have imagined a week ago I would have such a great, safe, place to be. I wish I could express the gratitude I feel.” James, December 12, 2021.
The quote begs the question, where was James a week ago and how did he find Teisha’s Place? Acute diseases like leukemia, lymphoma, and brain cancer, wreak havoc on lives with no warning. Why do certain guests end up at Teisha’s Place? Because when they need it most, and they have nowhere else to go, and Teisha’s is available. It can be stroke of luck that everything lines up at the right time but I’ve always felt that guests were meant to be here at just the right time in their lives.
This year we hosted six guests: Charlie, Maria, Mark, Merlin, Philip, and James. Charlie is thriving and says things are great in Myrtle Point. A year can make such a difference when treatments work and you have the support you need to recover and build a new life. Philip, stayed for three months. Originally from Eugene/Springfield he recovered from brain cancer surgery and moved into an apartment in NW Portland in December. James will be with us until mid-January when he finishes his radiation for lymphoma and complications of a tumor on his jugular. We remember fondly Maria Henderson and her family who stayed with us three times in an effort to beat her leukemia. Mark and Merlin had brief but memorable stays.
This year we made improvements for the safety and comfort of our guests. Richard Lile, All In One Mobility, Inc., consulted with us on the installation of a walk-in bathtub and Wayne Puryear, Advanced Service & Repair LLC, installed in it a flash and donated his time. These contractors were remarkable in their flexibility and willingness to work within short time frames available between guests. Unsolicited guest bathtub reviews: “That bathtub is wonderful & helped my back recover from the drive up.” Merlin, Port Orford. “The bathtub is the best I’ve had. To be able to sit when you’re not feeling great and get a good soak.” Philip.
Beautifying the space, we are grateful to Kami Gray Interior Design for the donation of new rugs in the living, dining, and TV room. We have posted photos taken by Sandy Moore and you can take a tour of the home by visiting the Gallery at http://www.TeishasPlace.com thanks to Gia Bocci our webmaster.
For the amazing number of helping hands that maintain the house…. can we have a round of applause!
Between each guest we do a whole house cleaning and rely on volunteers. This years’ heroes are Roger Martin, Maureen Colburn, and Cierra Strong in July and Roger Martin and Jim Poplack who helped me in December and Sheri Diteman, St Olio, for a year’s supply of my favorite cleaning solution.
Jesse Emerson, former bandmate of Teisha’s for debugging our website music; Sue Rae for two beautiful hand-crafted quilts to be donated to guest families. Barbara Mineau’s donation of a small TV; Glenn Varnado, for donating many household goods; Rhylie Woodley for summer yard work and painting the TV and dining room; Dell Smith for painting the deck; Sarah Olson for spreading a new layer of bark dust and helping with house cleaning during guest stays;
Peace Lutheran Church quilters donated a quilt to Philip before his move to a permanent home and provided him with a Thanksgiving basket and meal, and to Pastor Berry Scruggs for offering counseling.
Tina Johnson and social workers at OHSU who identify guests most in need of Teisha’s Place.
Shelly Caldwell, Gia Bocci, Maureen Colburn our dedicated volunteer board of directors.
Donations make it possible to provide free housing for guests who need time to heal. Your support is part of that healing process and I hope you feel the blessing of your gift. Some donations come as remembrances, some to celebrate, all with no conditions other than to do as much good as possible. These are special people:
My Mom and Dad, Harland & Audrey Helgerson, celebrating 72nd years of marriage, Lucia Shin, Matt Till, Ned & Faith Stafford, Nancy & R. Jay Bissel, Sherry Amen, Deanna Jo Benedetti, , Natalie Bocci, Jan & Tony Bonn, Anthony & Renee & Wyatt Brambilla, Jill & Mike Briney, Sharon Buckmaster, Shelly Caldwell, Jon Crumrine, Dave Hilts, Maureen Colburn, Amanda Collett, Robyn Doll, Marilyn Delaat, , AJ Emmerich, Miles & Mary Miller Faulkner, Char Fraser, Kami Gray, Nancy Harris, Gary & Kelly Harshaw, Heather Harvey, Mary Harvey, Leslie Hayertz, Jon & Lisa Helgerson, Harland & Peggy Helgerson, Karey Hempstead, Nancy & Stuart Hoover, Alyce Irving, Doug & Kristen Johanson, Charis Kennedy, Jennifer Lee, Paul Leineweber, Penny Luening, Cindy & Loren Marberry, Roger Martin, Cathy Martine & Pam Steinkamp, Gloria McNeill, Tanner & Jacque Michalowski, Mary Miller, Margaret Mott, Colleen Corso Murphy, Grant & Cindy Norlin, Scott Poole, Jim Poplack, Diane Reynolds, Philip Rothrock, Berry & Judy Scruggs, Bill & Vi Seyl, Anne & Bill Shields, Keri Smith, Gary & Carol Smith, Becky & Bruce Smith, Dell Smith, Matt Stone, Charles & Jackie Sweet, Mary Lou Sweet, Jean Severin, Bill & KK Thackery, Barry & Allison Todd, Glenn Varnado, Lee & Laurie Walker, Ron Wahlstrom, Lori & Andrew Watson, Peggy Webster, Steve & Jennifer Wicker, Ray Worden, Gabrielle Zartman, and Peace Lutheran Church Women, Refinishing Touch, Inc.
This year marked a major milestone of ten years since Teisha died and the idea of Teisha’s Place as a space to provide free housing to families from around the northwest while they undergo treatment for leukemia and other cancers. James, who is staying at the house now sent me a note, “Good afternoon, I just wanted to tell you that one of my care team remembers your daughter and spoke very fondly of her. She clearly made a positive impact in this world. I feel very blessed to be fortunate enough to stay in such a blessed place. Thank you again.”
Remembrance donations were given in loving memory of Maria Henderson, Mark Smith, Merlin Barker, Melissa Fox, June Lamb, Molly Cliff-Hilts, Gertrude Florence Schaller, Dennis Bean, Julia Woods, Tabi Caulkins, Michael Culver & Alisa, Nancy Gover, Jeremy Schreiber, Penny Kennedy, and always Teisha.
DECEMBER • 2020
A year of second chances
Teisha's Place hosted four families during this memorable year of 2020.
Maria, stayed with us in 2017 and around Thanksgiving 2019 returned for her second transplant. She had a short stay and was able to go home to Salem the first of January because she wanted to get her daughter back in school. I asked her midway through this year if coronavirus was less scary than leukemia. “Not at all. My leukemia I've beat twice, this corona can end all of that.” Little did she know that she would rush home to become a home school teacher.
Michael and husband Gary stayed from mid January to mid May then home to Klamath Falls. In this year of second chances Michael learned his AML (Acute Myeloid Lekemia) returned in July. Thankfully he is able to go through outpatient treatment at home. Nothing could keep Michael and Gary from voting. I loved the photo they sent of them dropping their mail-in ballots in the mailbox.
Jeremia, Kiersti and their young son Kaicen came from Pendleton. This was not Jeremiah's first rodeo. With experience under his belt and hopes that a blood cord for his second transplant would be more successful and less strenuous then the first he arrived in June. So far so good. Fewer complications from the transplant but add ten days of heavy heavy smoke layered on top of Covid, we were grateful that Teisha had installed a robust Hepa filter on the furnace and they were able to run the furnace to circulate and clean the air inside. They went back home in mid November and will have to make that long drive several times a month for monitoring. Kiersti hopes to be accepted into a nursing program and in my mind she has already earned several A+++ for her practicum experience. They left this sweet note on the table, “Thank you so much for everything. There really are no words to express our gratitue. You have made such a positive impact on our lives and we will forever cherish that. Thank you again. Love, Jeremiah, Kiersti & Kaicen.
Charlie from Myrtle Point started his transplant process on December 1st. This feels like a relay hand-off. The baton of time to shelter in place and grow a new immune system passing from Jeremiah to Charlie. Both young twenty-six year old men who have been through too much fighting for their lives. These are tough times to have a compromised immune system with a raging pandemic, a tough time to lose your youth trying to grow old. Charlie, first diagnosed at eighteen, has been through years of chemo and treatment but has never been able to stay in remission for very long. Transplant, he hopes, will put him in remission for good. For all the chemo he has had he never lost his hair. In preparation for transplant, which will make him bald, his buddies are going to shave their heads in support. Coming out of this he hopes to get married and start a family.
“Thank you so much for this opportunity this is a lifesaver and such a blessing! I'm glad I'm not going to be stressed over a place to stay so far away from home”.
Helping hands that make maintaining the house so much easier. Gary for refinishing the kitchen floors while staying at Teisha's, Rhylie for pulling weeds and cleaning the gutters, Dell for helping me flip mattresses, Jim for spring rug cleaning, Roger for giving the antique dining table a good rub down and hauling the garbage cans to the curb. Kathleen my favorite kitchen maid this year, Sherri for a supply of St Olio for cleaning, Kami and Stephanie of Indigo and Ivy for donating a bright new rug for the TV room, Becky for being willing to run to the house on a moments notice for the furnace repairman and for her birthday fund raiser on behalf of Teisha's. Julie, for the beautiful hand-stitched quilt that was ten years in the making. Rodrigo for brightening the garage with a window door, and Brad, Beez Garage Door Services. To Connie and Richard thank you for donating two beds and the Eaton brothers Elijah and Ellis for moving them. And Gia Bocci and Shelly Caldwell, board members, who made having a fund-raiser during a pandemic seem easy. What a remarkable year this has been.
Our fundraiser was an outstanding success. Anthony & Renee Brambilla, Kokanee NWworked with us between guests to get the basement window well installed. This makes the basement area safer for large families who need extra sleeping space.
We cherish the friendship and support of Lucia Shin and Toffer and Beatrice, Nicole Budden & Happy Trails Riding Center, Chari Kennedy and the memory of her mom Penny, MJ Culvyhouse in memory of Richard, Hilary Bonn Benevolent Fund and all of the Bonn family, Bill McFadden in memory of Charron, Diane Reynolds in memory of Don and Uncle Walter Saunders Jr.
Lori Agresta, Sherry Amen, Kirsten Bey & Robert Lewis, Chelsa Bocci, Gia Bocci, Natalie Bocci, Valerie & Carson Bowler, Sharon Buckmaster, Shelly Caldwell, Dave & Molly Cliff-Hilts, Lisa Clinton, Maureen Colburn, Connie & Richard Cunnington, Bruna Dalla Gasperina, Marta Dalla Gasperina, Katherine Dangol, Robin Doll, Melissa Egan, Char Fraser, Megan Fry, Moira Gleason, Kami Gray, Juli Hamdan, Brian Harney, Nancy Harris, Gary & Kelly Harshaw, Mary Harvey, Mike Hasson, Leslie & Margaret Hayertz, Michael Healy, Harland & Peggy Helgerson, Karl & Debbie Helgerson, Jon & Lisa Helgerson, Bonnie Henderson, Wanda Holcomb, Eric Holsein, Joy Imes, Carol Jacoby, Kristin Jones, Ronda Joseph, Peggy Luening, Jennifer Lee, Elizabeth Lippoff, Maura Lopez, Roger Martin, Cathy Martine, Gloria McNeil, Mary Miller, Sandy Moore, Colleen Murphy, Grant & Cindy Norlin, Ruth Offer, Mark & Megan Orton, Tiffani Penson, Allison Picard & Barry Todd, Jim Poplack, Margaret Ross, Philip Rothrock, Fred Schreiber, Madison Syas, Berry & Judy Scruggs, Jennifer Shami, Bill & Anne Shields, Phala Sir, Linda & Jeffrey Skeele, Becky & Bruce Smith, Gary& Carol Smith, Zack Smith, Ned and Faith Stafford, Bill & KK Thackery, Mary Lou Sweet, Jean Severn, Val Thorpe, Suzanne Townsend, Glenn Varnado, Mary Lou & Richard Weddle, Sekou Wiggs, Ray & Anne Worden, Gabrielle Zartman, Refinishing Touch Autobody Repair, Peace Lutheran Church, Richland United Methodist Church.
You keep the lights on and make it so that we can offer Teisha's Place free to the families for the duration of their stay.
DECEMBER • 2019
I had no idea that it would last this long. Something good exists to honor Teisha's memory and to provide a respite for families. In 2012, the doors of her home opened to welcome families recovering from transplants and other cancer treatments. Her home is fully furnished and free of charge to the guests for as long as they need to complete their treatment and recovery. I had no idea that her home would still be welcoming families seven years later. Who could know that it would last this long? The support and love from friends and volunteers keeps the house going and the families who stay here keep us inspired.
Four families stayed this year. The families are selected, because they come from places in remote towns in Oregon and beyond, by the great social workers at OHSU based on a need for housing, which is a prerequisite for scheduling their transplant.
Pedro, (40), from White City, arrived before Thanksgiving, 2018 and returned home in April 5th and two weeks later we had new guests from Pacific City.
Cindy, (60), tenaciously powered through her transplant while also caring for her disabled husband with his own health issues. On their last day at the house I asked if I could take a photo of the two of them and they posed, facing each other, and whispered together “we did it.” Out the door they went happy to be going home and their car packed to the brim.
Francisco (38) arrived the day after Cindy left. It is a scramble to clean a large home from top to bottom in one day. Each guest turnover requires washing bedding, deep cleaning all surfaces, shampooing rugs, etc.. The new guest has a limited immune system and the house needs to be as clean as possible to minimize any complications. I enjoy these times because I get to spend time at the house and I am grateful my niece Cierra and her friend Mele were available on short notice to help me get the house ready.
Maria (33) from Corvallis came just before Thanksgiving this year. She stayed at the house in 2017 but her leukemia returned and she underwent a mini-transplant with the same donor she had originally. She is doing exceptionally well with her husband and youngest daughter taking care of her. Unable to have any live plants in the house during the recovery period they settled for a 7' artificial tree and she has the house decorated for the holidays.
Almost any conversation reveals how many of us are touched by cancer or other serious health issues. If you have someone in your life that is dealing with a serious health issue I wish you strength, or a cure, or affordable and durable treatment, kind nurses and doctors and social workers, or a blessed understanding of how to cope. Whatever you need, I sincerely hope it comes to you.
For the families who have a stay at Teisha's Place in their future we will be ready. There are many people in need and we will be there as long as we are able.
A few highlights of 2019 and the Extraordinary People Who Support Teisha's Place
Nicole, the birthday girl last December who asked her friends, in lieu of presents, to buy Teisha's “Carry On” and someone who loves her dearly paid $500 for one CD.
On Teisha's 50th birthday in August, I received an email from Calle Sand, a music producer in the Netherlands. Two years ago he found a song on the internet that Teisha wrote entitled “Better Than Sleeping Alone”. He asked for permission to record the song and sent me a copy of “Bedre end at Sove Alene” and it arrived on her birthday! I hope it hits the top of the charts and if I have your email you will be getting a copy.
Michael Allen Harrison's gave a beautiful Candlelight Concert at Peace Lutheran Church in January.
Kevin MacKenzie, Overlook Tree Preservation, tamed Teisha's espaliered apple tree.
Lisa Clinton, donated new throw rugs for the kitchen.
Carson Bowler and Dan Eller, of Schwabe Williamson and Wyatt helped us through the process of incorporating Teisha's Place as a new non-profit and Shelly Caldwell and Gia Bocci joined with me to form the initial board of directors for Teisha's Place.
Rodrigo Avila installed a new dining room light fixture and TV system.
Harland, Peggy, donated wood and Julian Helgerson hauled and stacked it & fixed the hot tub cover.
Leslie Hayertz for printing these letters.This years outstanding donors! You keep the lights on.
Lucia Shin, Ned & Faith Stafford, Lori Agresta, Sherry Amen, Linda Beasley-Freeman, Ralph & Inice Bell, Gia Bocci, Hilary Bonn Benevolent Fund, Valerie & Carson Bowler, Shelly Caldwell, Nicole Chevrier, Steve Chupack, Sigrid Clark, Molly & Dave Cliff-Hilts, Lisa Clinton, Maureen Colburn, Amanda Collett, MJ Culveyhouse, Margaret Davis, Kathleen Donnelly, Margaret Dragoon, Joseph Murrel, Lisa Faust, Allison Frost, Kami Gray, Gary & Kelly Harshaw, David Helgerson, Harland & Peggy Helgerson, Leota & Patrisha Hilbran, Daniel Hinman, Susan Hoffman, Alyce Irving, Judy Jackson, Bryant Jaksic, Ronda Joseph, Candace Kendall, Art & Mary Beth Koebel, Lisa Kruse, Jennifer Lee, Peggy Luening, Molly & Jeff Littlejohn, Cindy & Loren Marberry, Cathy Martine, Gloria McNeil, Ann Michaels, Tanner Michalowski, Mary Miller, Jerry O'Brian, Mark Orton, Peace Lutheran Church Women, Oregon Breakers, Inc., DJ Reames, Earline Penson, Tiffani Penson, Jim Poplack, Refinishing Touch Auto Body, Diane Reynolds remembering Don, Erin Rothrock & Arron Cross, Phillip Rothrock, Margaret Ross, Jeff Scott, Berry & Judy Scruggs, Bill Seyl, Bill & Ann Shields, Bruce & Becky Smith, Dell Smith, Gary & Carol Smith, Robin Tenebaum, Bill & KK Thackery, Val Thorpe, Barry Todd, Allison Picard, Michael & Pam Tokstad, Glenn Varnado, Ron Wahlstrom, Ray & Anne Worden.
With appreciation and best wishes for the holidays and a Happy New Year,
Deb, Teisha's Mom
teishaandfriends@gmail.com
503.704.3427if you care to donate online: www.TeishasPlace.com
or mail checks to Teisha's Place, 380 Rosemont Road, West Linn, OR 97068
or just share some love with someone
DECEMBER • 2018
Families helping family is the theme of Teisha’s Place for 2018. Six more remarkable families shared their stories and became part of the living history of this special home where patients and their caregivers live free of charge for as long as they need in order to recover from a life saving transplant to cure leukemia and lymphoma.
Belinda, age 58, arrived just days after Christmas 2017 and returned to Independence Oregon on January 13, 2018. Her girlfriend was a nurse and volunteered to be her caregiver during her recovery from her transplant for Mantel Cell Lymphoma.
Jon, age 30, and his remarkable wife Michelle and their four children stayed from January 17 to April 20, 2018. Talk about it takes a village. All four of Jon’s children at that time were under 3 years of age. Jon had just adopted a pair of twins and had a three year old daughter, and a one year old son before he was diagnosed and entered treatment for Acute Myelogenous Leukemia AML). His mom and dad were caregivers during the week then drove to Sheridan to watch the babies so that Michelle could join her husband on the weekends and take care of the care-giving. And when he was far enough along and none of the kids had colds they came to visit for a few days and the house was big enough for everyone.
Ruby, age 20, had her second year in college rudely interrupted by Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL). Her wonderful large family came to help prepare the house and to greet her when she was released from OHSU to Teisha’s on April 22nd. Her cousin was her donor and it was an honor to meet him too. Doing well, she returned to Salem on July 14, 2018.
Pedro P., age 67, had a perfect match lined up but they withdrew just days before his transplant was scheduled. His daughter Alma stepped up and became his donor as a 50% match. Pedro was already in the hospital undergoing chemo and radiation in preparation for the transplant when all of this happened but Alma and her mom stayed at Teisha’s while Alma donated cells from July 24 to August 5th. This was another beautiful and loving family dealing with the stress of a love one in a medical crisis. Pedro was doing well when I last talked with Alma and they are back in Medford.
Vanessa, Mosier Oregon, celebrated her 27th birthday while at Teisha’s. Her Mom was her donor. Two girlfriends were her caregivers from August 11 to November 10 so that Mom could return home and keep the family restaurant business going. Vanessa did some art work and left it at the house. I am inspired to have an art show event sometime next year. I would love to hear your thoughts.
Pedro C., from White City, is 40 and his brother is his donor and caregiver. He arrived on November 19 and is expected to be at Teisha's Place until March, 2019.
Teisha Place had its' start in 2012 as a way for me to hang on during the heavy grief of losing Teisha. I write with gratitude to the families that stay at the house and to donors who help keep the house going. Teisha has a legacy that is providing something profoundly good in this world.
Mark your calendar for a benefit concert on January 30, 2019 by Michael Allen Harrison. This exceptional American composer and founder of the Snowman Foundation and Play It Forward and Ten Grands is putting on a concert for Peace Lutheran Church benevolent fund to benefit Teisha's Place. www.michaelallenharrison.com
Concert is at 7 p.m., and a light supper provided at 6 p.m. RSVP's appreciated for a dinner count. Send me an email at debhelgerson@yahoo.com
Happy Holidays,
Deb,
Teisha's Mom
PS: Families and friends deserve special recognition for the boost you gave Teisha's Place in 2018. Here are the highlights:
Donors Lucia Shin, Roger Martin, Kami Gray, Earline and Tiffany Penson, Mike Hasson, Jay Tinski, Harland and Peggy Helgerson, Carol Jacoby, Jennifer Lee, Mary Miller and Miles Faulkner, Margaret Mott, Grant and Cindy Norlin, Jim Poplack, Sydney Power, Philip Rothrock, Berry and Judy Scruggs, Ned Stafford, Robyn Tenebaum, Bill and KK Thackery, Barry Todd and Allison Picard, Leslie Wells, Gabrielle Zartman, Nicole Chevrier, Char Fraser, Gloria McNeill, Anne Michals, Refinishing Touch, Inc., Bill and Anne Shields, Jenni Valentine,Ron Wahlstrom, Alyce Irving, David Helgerson, Shelby Cass, Daniel Hinman, Ronda Joseph, Jeanette and Chris Rinehart, Bill & Vi Seyl, Ray and Anne Worden, and Kathleen Donnelly.
Advised fund grant award from The Oregon Community Foundation in honor of John and Stephani Hayden.
Melissa Fox Memorial Fund. My friend who did good deeds for so many. With gratitude to her Mom Cynthia.
Fire On The Mountain's, Jordan Busch, fund-raiser in March donating a portion of the dinner proceeds to Teisha's Place.
Hasson Company Realtors and Directors Mortgage sponsored an event for us at the Oregon Public House and Village Ballroom in August. Thank you to all of their agents and staff for making the night a fun one. And to event volunteers Shelly Caldwell (thank you for getting the swipe card working!), Courtenay Hameister (our favorite MC and Author of OK, Fine, Whatever), Allison Picard (event coordinator extraordinaire), Maria Saban (designed Teisha's Place logo and flyer), Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk (Wonderly and OK Chorale I love their music!), MusikHaus Ukulele band, Irene Bonn-Laney (Nourishment Food) Char Fraser and Leslie Hayertz (sporting their Teisha's Place aprons) , Mario and Kate Molony (wine and beer donations), Jim Poplack, Dell Smith, and Becky Smith (membership table) ,Carmen Imes (remember those cupcakes!), Rachel Probst and Cierra (greeters) and Julian Helgerson (room cleanup),and Jason Sledd, Smart Foods.
Phenomenal silent auction donors: Molly Cliff-Hilts, Dog Watch Hidden Fences, Erin Rothrock and Aaron Cross, Twisted NW, Bannings Restaurant & Pie House, Linn City Pub, Portland Nursery, Stu and Ali Crowley, Courtenay , Scott and Sally Hameister, Stacy Jones, Storm Large, and Linda Monaco, Bernadette Breu.
Special gifts and thoughtfulness: Tanner Michalowski (Hasson Company Realtors for donating a portion of his commission checks), Sheri Diteman (www.SaintOlio.com donated a year of cleaning supplies). Shelly Caldwell for hosting www.TeishaJune.com) and Gia Bocci for hosting www.TeishasPlace.com
Friends Jim Poplack, Irene Bonn-Laney, Dell Smith, Becky Smith, Char Fraser, Jan Bonn, Tony Bonn, Mo Colburn, Gia Bocci, and the other Debbie Helgerson (my sister-in-law) who volunteer to help clean the house between families. Just saying you will help means the world to me even if we have to cancel plans at the last minute.
Brother Harland Ralph Jr for changing the Hepa filter on the furnace. Scott Hameister and Stacey Jones for painting the house trim, deck, and procuring new deck furniture. Julian Helgerson and Carmen, Emily, and Jace Imes for yard work during the summer.
Thank you so much!
Tax deductible donations are welcome: www.teishasplace.com
If you sign up for a small monthly donation I will send you a monthly update on activities at the house.
Checks are welcome too. Mail them to PLCW, 2201 N Rosa Parks Way, Portland, OR 97217
DECEMBER • 2017
“The simple joys of the season are its greatest gifts... I know that Teisha's spirit is everywhere and she is so pleased to know that so many people are benefitting from her house. Kindness, generosity, warmth, love acceptance and laughter – all traits that I know are provided and all part of the Teisha we knew and loved."
- A CARD FROM TEISHA'S FRIEND NICOLE, LAST DECEMBER
This year marks five years of hosting 14 guests and 24 family members and caregivers. Teisha's Place makes a real difference every day and it is a wonderful feeling but also comes with constant reminders of the struggle to deal with catastrophic disease.
This year Clay, age 71, completed his stem cell transplant to cure MDS (Myelodysplastic Syndrome) and was able to return to Salem on January 31st after a three-and-a-half month stay.
Maria, 31, had to leave three children in Corvallis during her transplant to cure AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia). "Thank you for being so kind. You will forever be a part of my story." And her story continues with a new career and job training starting in November as a cosmetologist. Cancer interrupts all of life's routines and I am excited to hear that her life is getting back to a new normal.
Jesse, 30, came from Albany in April and left at the end of June and his sister moved from Missouri to be his caregiver. His adorable daughters aged 3 and 1, were able to join him on weekends and they left a sweet thank you note when they moved back home. "Thank You So Much!! Thank you for providing a place for us to stay while Jesse was healing. It would have been quite the struggle if we had to find somewhere to rent. This house and all of the accommodations have been more than we could ask for. You've been so kind and helpful to us during a hard time and we will forever be grateful for what you did for us here."
Joel, 30, from Milton Freewater, moved into the house in July. Joel was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2015 and had an orchiectomy and believed there was only a 5% chance of the cancer returning. "In the summer of 2016 I experienced a lot of pain in my lower back and after a series of emergency room visits, I found out the testicular cancer had returned and spread into my spine. In September 2016 I was forced to quit my job, and it has been really hard financially. I had surgery to remove the largest of several lesions that were growing in my spine and completed four rounds of platinum chemotherapy." On July 6, 2017 Joel was released from OHSU to recover at Teisha's Place after his first transplant and had a second transplant in August. In September he appeared cancer free and moved back to Milton Freewater. In October the cancer returned for the fourth time and Joel is face-to-face with things that most of us push to the back of our minds and lives. Joel can use extra help and has a GoFundMePage. (or send contributions to PLCW* on his behalf).
With gratitude for all that you do to help Teisha's place - here is a shout out to some very special people: Lucia Shin of Wilsonville Summit Apartments, Tanner Michalowski of Hasson Company Realtors, the women of Peace Lutheran Church and their 501C3, The Bonn Family and Richland Methodist Church, Molly and Dan Cliff-Hilts, Tina, Nancy, and Keren - the social workers that refer families from OHSU, Rachel & Cierra for deep cleaning with me, Dave for fixing stuff, Dell for loads of laundry, Shelly for maintaining Teisha's blog: www.teishajune.com, and Gia for www.teishasplace.com. Jim and Roam Schooled, and exemplary donors this year: Earlene & Kernan, Dave, Irene, Sharron, Leah, Marliynn, Doug & Kristen, Ronda, Ann, April, Katherine, Gloria, Gabrielle, Ron & Sally, Megan & John, Lisa, Grant & Cindy, Tiffani, Diane & Don, Gary & Carol.
Teisha's Place is grateful for your support,
Deb, Teisha's Mom
DECEMBER • 2016
“Teisha would have done this herself. I know she is loving it” is the note from a friend of Teisha's in response to last years' update. So true. It feels good to share her home, to introduce her to new friends, and to provide families an oasis for a few short months.
This past year has been life changing for four families staying at the house while recovering from transplants.
Jim Long, a Professor at OIT, and family were guests from December 2015 to March 2016 when he returned home to Klamath Falls. Jim was in an experimental treatment but died on June 11. A scholarship in Professor Long's memory as been set up at Oregon Institute of Technology. I watched him tutor his daughter and her robotics team remotely via the internet and conversed with him via Skype when he was at OHSU and I was standing in Teisha's kitchen with his wife Leslie. His use of technology to stay connected was exciting to see, and doing something productive is as necessary to healing as the medicine prescribed everyday. Jim was a remarkable man and will be missed.
Eugene (age 60) & his wife MJ, Kaneohe Hawaii, were guests at Teisha's from April to July. Eugene's donor for his transplant to cure MDS (Myelogysplastic Syndrome) came from his sister, a perfect match. They wrote a letter to Teisha saying “ From the minute we entered your house, we could feel the circle of love and protection all around us. It never ceased. Your house instantly became a home! We met you through your photos and all your positive vibes. Words cannot express our gratitude for shelter and complete comfort. You will forever been in our hearts, and know that not a day goes by without your name being said out loud. Your home was an oasis in the middle of anxious times.” Eugene and MJ have been back home for five months and hoping to move on to more wild ambitions beside being able to stand on two feet.
The house was then set for a family from Eugene, but David did not survive his second transplant and only his wife stayed from mid September to October 5th. Then in a rush, the house was readied for Clay (age 71) to move in the next day. He and his wife Jennifer are from Salem and on the day Clay was to be released following his transplant they found that the housing they had lined up was contaminated and unacceptable as a place for him to recuperate. This isn't the first time that I've experienced back to back guests but it always works out. As of this writing there is no evidence of MDS and he was even cleared by Teisha's doctor (yes, they share the same Oncologist) to go out to eat in a restaurant. No fresh green salads yet (and trust me, you'll never know how much you can miss fresh vegetables until you're not allowed to eat them for months and months) but seems to be thriving and doing exceptionally well according to the last bone marrow biopsy. The first 100 days of recovery require that he be no more than 20 minutes from OHSU and Teisha's Place is less than 15 so this will continue to be his home through the holidays, and as long as necessary, until cleared by his doctor to go back to his life in Salem.
And in other good news. Juaneca (guest in 2014) got married last year and is an expectant father of Twins! And Charlotte (age 29 and guest 2014/2015) had both hips replaced this year as a result of damage from the high doses of steroids that she had to take and she is thriving as a bionic woman and feeding her wickedly funny sense of humor by working with senior citizens in Crescent City, CA. I am so proud of her and her resilience.
Living with cancer makes us acutely aware of being alive, of anticipatory stress, of sadness we cannot prepare for, of laughter and love that exceeds every expectation at unexpected times, and life coming full circle. To all of the donors who keep the house afloat, this letter is for you. See the good in what you've done to keep Teisha's name and loving spirit alive and well and doing good work.
And a special shout out to Gia Bocci for setting up a web-page for http://teishasplace.com, to Shelly Caldwell for managing the blog at www.teishajune.com, to Jim Brunberg and www.roamschooled.com and a rerun of Episode 1 “Remember Me, Lucia Shin, Wilsonville Summit Apartments, for helping to spruce up the yard and the bank account, my nieces and nephew Carmen, Jace, Rachel and Cierra for heavy lifting, Rodrigo Avila for home repairs, Kathleen Donnelly for weeding and being a walking miracle herself, Marni Beardsley for her circle of friends fund-raiser, Tanner Michalowski of Hasson Company Realtors, Nancy Harris for a boundless supply of yarn and Julie Smith for teaching how to use it so that time passes more quickly, Tiffany Penson for her bright light, to the Bonn family and the Hilary Bonn Benevolence Fund and Richland Methodist Church, to guests of the first Happy Hour and House Tour, and a special remembrance to Sandy Ball, of Peace Lutheran Church Women (PLCW) for her tireless work in organizing the April concert with pianist Michael Allen Harrison, and to the PLCW for their continued support as a 501c3, to Dennis, Marni, Boo, Mindy, Donn & Kelly, Wayne & Geralding, Lisa, Mo & Tony, John & Mindy, Connie & Richard, Kathleen, Alic, Miles & Mary, Jennifer, Carol, Melissa, Char, Victoria, Moira, Linda, Gary & Kelly, Heather, James & Lisa, David, Harland & Kaylene, Karl & Debbie, Kent, Leah, Instant Vintage, Carol, Beverly, Bonnie & Francis, Donn & Clarice, Paul & Annalee, Penny, Roger, Beverly & David, Loops, Sandy & Holly, Trudi, Melanie, Pelletrox, Monique, Jim, Paige, Rene, Jeanette & Christopher, Robin, Ann,Becky & Bruce, Dell, Debi & Paul, Jackie & Chuck, Bill & KK, Michael & Pam, Ara, Debra, Ray & Ann. What a wonderful circle of supportive friends.
Thank You,
Deb, Teisha's Mom
DECEMBER • 2015
Happy New Year! I hope all is well with you and yours and want to share with you an update on activity this year at Teisha’s Place. This precious note is from one of the families that stayed at Teisha's Place in 2015.
Deb –
There literally are no words to express my thankfulness for everything you’ve done for me and my family. I do not know what we would’ve done if not for you. Thank you for allowing me to heal in a place of positivity and love. Teisha’s Place is my home away from home, my “happy place,” and will always have a special place in my heart. Cancer does suck and I wouldn’t wish it upon anyone but it has changed my life for the better. From the bottom of my heart, Thank You. Though I never had the honor to meet her, I know Teisha would be proud of all you have done and continue to do in her honor.
Love, Charlotte
At the end of July, Charlotte and her family were able to return to Crescent City, CA with a tender diagnosis of remission and a daily regime of oral chemotherapy expected to last another year. But the good news is that she appears to be free of ALL (Acute Lymphoid Leukemia) and despite occasional reactions to her chemo she is regaining her strength and looking forward to going back to working with at-risk youth one day.
Coming from Medford, Oregon, the Lee family moved into Teisha's Place in mid September. Donnie Lee's sister was his exact match for the bone marrow and she and her husband and family stayed while she took shots to stimulate her production of stem cells. The transplant put the cancer in remission but a severe fungal lung infection created complications. Donnie's wife Lisa, his three daughters (aged 9, 11, 16), his mother and Lisa's parents rotated between Teisha's house and hospital for several weeks. With a heavy heart I write that Donnie did not survive the lung infection and died on November 20th.
And able to spend Christmas together as a family the Long's from Klamath Falls moved in on December 18. Jim is one of three Oregonians participating in a clinical study to see if his own immune system can be reprogrammed to fight his lymphoma. This will be a medical game changer with results due in a few weeks.
This is the nature of Teisha's Place. A refuge, a place of comfort, a constant reminder of the remarkableness and enduring spirits of the patients and families who stay for a few months, or a few days, and an acknowledgement of the cycle of life that is often hard to understand or accept but life goes on. It is great to hear from past guests and I'm happy to report Sage and Mack from Naselle Washington are doing well, Juaneca in Pendleton is thriving and newly married, and Juan in Madras is also a newlywed and children Janet and John are growing up with a new mom and sister.
Deb Helgerson, Teisha’s Mom
www.teishajune.com (is her blog)
DECEMBER • 2014
This has been a busy and rewarding year at Teisha's Place with four remarkable families able to lean on her home as a comfortable place to stay while they do the hard work of treatment and recovery from catastrophic illness.
From Pendleton we had twenty-one year old Juan, his wonderful mother and father and his sister, who was a perfect match as his donor for his transplant to try to cure Acute Lympoid Leukmia (ALL). They arrived on January 6th and by April 15th Juan was well enough to go home to Pendleton. I have had two Juan's living at Teisha's in the past two years and both they and their families were extraordinary and strong.
One of Teisha's best friends called to tell me about Sage and her husband Mac from Naselle, Washington. She knew they were staying on a friends couch in Portland following her liver transplant – because when recovering from a transplant you need to live within a 20 minute drive of the hospital in case of emergencies in addition to going to OHSU every other day for blood draws and monitoring. They moved to Teisha's the day after Juan left. Sage waited over 7 years to have a liver transplant and was able to return home in Naselle at the end of August and Mac was able to go back to work as a youth counselor. Teisha's is free to families because as you can see patients and caregivers cannot hold down jobs while in recovery. The financial relief supports their healing without the added stress of paying rent.
Teisha's was then reserved for Jack (age 70) and his wife BJ from Etna, California who were scheduled to arrive just before Thanksgiving so that he could begin his final chemo in preparation for a transplant on December 5th. Jack has myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and hopes to be well enough to be discharged from the hospital sometime between Christmas and New Years. The family has information posted at www.mdsbeacon.com (search for Jack Grubb) for more of their story. (Jack did not survive his transplant and died on January 3, 2015)
Just before Thanksgiving the social worker from OHSU called to ask if Charlotte (27) and her caregiver Rebecca (25) could stay at the house for Thanksgiving week. They are from Crescent City, California and were staying in a 19 square foot RV in the parking lot at OHSU where they had been for the past three months. Charlottes' friend was able to plan to bring her daughter (age 6) and Rebecca's daughter (age 3) for a visit. The RV would not be big enough for everyone but if Teisha's could host them the family could be together during Thanksgiving. I checked with Jack and BJ and they agreed to let Charlotte and Rebecca and girls have the house for the week.
Then, the two families met and decided that they would try to make it work for everyone. Charlotte and Rebecca have the upstairs and BJ has the main level bedroom with the rest of the house as shared space.
Charlotte has ALL (like Juan) but without the Philadelphia marker that will allow a transplant. At this time she is undergoing chemo and being monitored with lumbar punctures and bone marrow biopsies and hopefully some new therapies will emerge soon.
It is a gift to be able to share Teisha's home as a way to support and nurture the healing spirits in our guests. This has been a busy and rewarding year and Teisha's is a very special place. Thank you for your contributions to pay for utilities, thank you for asking about how the families are doing, thank you for keeping these wonderful families in your thoughts and prayers, thank you for treats and field trips and generous donations and showing up at events and for taking care of those you love. And thank you for remembering Teisha and honoring her place in this world.
Much love to you,
Deb
Teisha's Mom
DECEMBER • 2012
Teisha’s home hosted two families during 2012.
The first of June we welcomed the first family from Central Oregon. Maria had spent the greater part of the year in the hospital trying to gain enough strength to have a bone marrow transplant in hope of curing her Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML). During the summer months Maria, her husband and their two children, ages ten and seven, stayed at Teisha’s until the school year began. On September 17th she was released by the hospital and allowed to return to her own home to live but still must make weekly trips, with a four hour drive, to Portland one or two days per week for monitoring. Maria’s family did not have insurance coverage for housing and her husband had to quit his job to be her caregiver. The Peace Lutheran Church Women (PLCW) used benevolent fund donations dedicated to Teisha’s Place’s to covered the cost of utilities during their stay.
The second family came from northern California in mid September. JoAnn completed her transplant and her retired husband and caregiver along, with their adult daughter moved in the same day that the Maria’s family left on September 17th. JoAnn’s leukemia returned the first of November and she chose not to accept any further treatment and returned to her home on Thanksgiving Day under hospice care. Her first grand-daughter was born two weeks early and her daughter brought the baby to Portland to see her in early November. The family had insurance to cover housing costs for September and October.
The week after Thanksgiving Maria had complications in her recovery and was required to return to Portland for treatment and hospitalizations. The family will continue to stay until she is stabilized.
I am grateful to so many people who helped support the house and to honor Teisha’s memory this past year.
For everyone who enjoys the tribute CD and who came to the August concert at Kruger’s Farm in August, the sale of “Teisha and Friends Carry-On” helps to cover the costs of families staying at the house. The sale of the CD and donations to the PLCW (Peace Lutheran Church Women) a 501C3 benevolent fund, helped two families with a comfortable home to stay in during a most difficult time in their lives and I hope more families will be served this coming year. As with all good things, additional contributions are needed to support families without insurance.
With heartfelt gratitude for your support.
Teisha’s Mom
Deb Helgerson
Many people have been involved in supporting the house
and I want to express my gratitude to these very special friends:Jim Brunberg | Mississippi Studios
for his exceptional Podcast www.roamschooled.com “Remember Me” which includes a segment on Teisha's Place.Irene Bonn and Niki Dwigans
for donating the proceeds of YogaIn at Melissa Soltesz Fine Art Studio.Lucia Shin and Wilsonville Summit
for donating yard cleanup after a busy growing season!Susie Frank, Editor OHSU eXtra
for including Teisha's Place in their magazine highlighting the need for housing for families undergoing a medical crisis.Brian Harney
for power washing the house and painting the trim with paint he matched and donated.Tiffani Penson
for welcome baskets of her delicious home baked treats.Doug and Bonnie Yarris
for the donation of their beautiful antique French dining table.The *PLCW
for accepting tax deductable donations that pay the cost of utilities so that families can stay free of charge for as long as they need. And to the incredible donors, Thank You from the bottom of my heart.
*PLCW Benevolent Fund
Peace Lutheran Church Women
2201 N Rosa Parks Way, Portland OR 97217