TERESA COLLINS

NEW YEARS EVE...

I have so much to share from last week and have been so busy. I was up until 430 am this morning and still did not catch up. I had a beautiful meaningful Christmas at home. I can't wait to share the photos. I hope to work on that post later today. For now, I wanted to share this...

SNEAK PEEK ALERT- yes, CHA is next week in Anaheim, CA. I am soooo excited to share later this week my new collections. So TODAY I am going to share a little peek of ONE of the beautiful collections. I have been designing so much that I can't wait to tell you about. Let's just say a BIG announcement will happen soon. Yes, I love what I do!!!!!

 

I would love it if you PLEASE share my peek- YOU will not believe the MAKE N TAKE BOOKS that I will be doing with Craftwell and TCD at the show!!!!!!! We ran out so fast last show so this time we made even more but I know they will go fast. No worries, if you are a retailer, you can obtain the instructions free to recreate for your store.

 

I can't wait to see all my friends and family in CA. I am so thankful that my mother in law is able to be with my husband too. PS- I get to see Kayla, Matt and the kids. I can't wait! Also, the class I am teaching Friday night at Timeless Treasures sold out, but still come by and see me. Sorry, we have no more room. 

Okay... SNEAK PEEK

 I can't wait to show you MORE! Have a safe New Years Eve. xoxo

It's CHRISTMAS EVE....

I am so very thankful for the many blessings in my life and home. Tonight- Christmas Eve I am just so grateful for my dear husband, children, family and friends. This year is so different from any other Christmas we have had. It is quiet and we have our two boys home tonight with us. Tomorrow my girls & Devan will come over along with Seth. Happy... I will get to spend Christmas day with them. I am beyond excited to talk to my daughter McKay on her mission tomorrow. I can't wait to skype and see her beautiful face. I just wish I knew when she will be able to call us.

This is the best gift!!!!!

So thankful for the Savior in our life and family. I am so very thankful for the neighbors and friends who have loved and served our family as Christ would do. Many tears of appreciation are in order for the kindness that you have given us. I can't thank each of you enough... words are not even adequate. I love you all so much. 

UPDATE- He is HOME!!!!!!

I wanted to update everyone and let them know that Tyler is home from the hospital. The stem cell transplant and 18 rounds of chemo and the past few weeks in the hospital has left him beyond weak. Now it is time to recover at home. He came home to me being able to worry about him even more. I am now his nurse 24/7. We were told that you cannot leave him alone because he needs constant care. We are exactly 20 minutes from the Huntsman Cancer Institute. Even though he is home, he is literally always in bed. He is extremely weak, and must be watched closely for fevers and signs of infection. Getting him to eat is a daily challenge. He smells everything and it is hard on him. I don't wear perfume or hair spray but he still can smell the soap from a shower. It makes him sick to smell the normal smells around him. Did I mention how hard it is for him to walk? Ty is down to 174 lbs. (this is on a 6 foot 1" man) and I promise that I'm feeding him. He has zero appetite. He can't tolerate anything sweet. So I am cooking and trying to just get him to eat. His feet hurt (all that chemo and they are both numb and hurting. His legs hurt.  His belly hurts.  His mouth hurts some but not as bad as previous treatment.  He sleeps most of the days but trys to stay up as much as possible. He tries to get up and walk up and down the stairs at least twice a day to regain some strength. It is a BIG deal for him to get the energy up to take a shower. Each day we have to flush the ports in his chest. We go to the hospital the day after Christmas and will go weekly to make sure all is well. 

So after a transplant you have 100 days constantly in your mind. That is from the day from your transplant. Each day is counted and by day 100 you are ready to be tested and they will have some indication if the transplant worked. Yes, we have no idea. It is such a mental game. Did they get all the cancer? Many tears are shed during this hard time. I know that Tyler is constantly in fear that it has not worked and he is enduring this for nothing. I know this is so hard for him and I just keep reminding him of my great FAITH that he is going to be fully healed. That is the ONLY way I can go forth. I want my best friend better. I know Heavenly Father is helping us on this journey. I have so much gratitude that he is alive and we have EACH day together. I am so thankful that I get to serve him and my family. Yes, I would do this for the rest of my life happily. I truly feel the spirit in our home. God is felt here with my sweet husband and I feel peace. Never take one day for granted... your health and tell your loved ones every day how much you love them. 

(christmas two years ago)

I am so thankful for the neighbors and friends who are supporting us. I got gifts in the love box that literally made me wept. I can't wait until I can do the same for others again. I know when Tyler is better I am going to volunteer and make sure I am doing more to serve others. I want others to feel the love and support that I have felt these last few months. One day a pizza was in the love box. It came on a day that I was just scrambling and didn't have dinner prepared and it was overdue. I just can't tell you how much it helps to know others love and support you in your time of need. 

So right now, I am home and taking care of my cute bald husband that I adore. If I leave him, I have to ask someone to come and be here with Tyler. I know this Christmas is going to be so special because he is at home.

I just wanted to share that a friend of mine, lost her 32 year old husband his past week. It has been hard for me to think of what she is enduring. She has two younger children and this was unexpected. He was in the hospital and they thought he was doing better and was going to be going home. She left the hospital thinking all was well, and then he died within hours. I simply can't imagine. I know that this is going to be a very difficult journey for her and the family. I kept thinking of her and how I know as a scrapbooker she is going to cherish the memories, the photos... that she has taken the time to document their life. I want her to know that because of HER, I was inspired to do a book this week. We simply don't know what each day holds for us. I decided to do a book for ME of just my relationship with Tyler. It's called US. I will be sharing it, because I know that it's important to WRITE THINGS DOWN. Take photos... tell the story, and if and when the time comes we have a keepsake to cherish. I love you sweet friend.

 

I am truly thankful... I am so thankful that I get to talk to my sweet daughter McKay on Christmas day. The missionaries all get to skype and call home. I am just so excited. 

I love and adore her!!!!!!

It's HIS birthday TODAY!!!!!

I am pretty lucky. I have a sweet 15 year old son in my house today. It's Ty's BIRTHDAY today- yes, ONE week before Christmas!!!!!

This is his friend KJ to the left. They have been good friends for years. I just have to say that I'm super thankful for my youngest child. Ty has been probably my hardest child (just being honest), but he is GREAT son. He has MANY big brothers, sisters, and parents who all like to tell him what to do. I think sometimes he doesn't really appreciate this. He is 4.0 in school and works hard academically. He loves to snowboard and hang out with his friends. He is now 15 and is most excited to start driving with his learners permit. Oh my... I just did this with Zach.

I have a confession, I am a way nervous mother driver. When my kids learn to drive, it has been my patient husband Tyler who has helped the kids. I think Matt did me in. He was our first driver and I was in the car with him one day and he was pulling out on a busy street (state street) and he pulled right out in front of a oncoming FAST car. I was never the same!!!! ha- I was so scared and decided to let Ty take over.

Also, today is my sweet son in laws birthday- Devan. Okay, I can't even tell you how much we love Devan. He is truly like a son to me. I know he has only been in our family since marrying Gentry, but we just love him and are so thankful for him.

Devan and Gentry have been married 7 months now. He is working at Home Depot (he LOVES it!) and is going to school for his Masters. He works really hard and he simply adores my daughter. I could NOT have asked for a more wonderful young man for my daughter. Devan- HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! We love you so much.

I now have all my CHA prototypes in and starting to create projects. At first, it was really hard. I just did not feel creative at all. I was struggling with Ty in the hospital, the holidays and taking care of my boys are home- plus, my business. What did I do? NOTHING. I just felt like I needed to time to just not do it. I have a very talented design team and I knew if I simply couldn't do samples- then that was okay. Then something CRAZY happened. Last weekend, I took out the products and set them on the table. I put on a HALLMARK movie (I'm obsessed), put on my favorite sweat pants and before I knew it I was designing like a crazy crafter. Thoughts and inspiration came so fast. I haven't been able to stop. I just am so thankful that by allowing myself to RELAX it just "came" back. 

I can't wait to share all the collections and what I've created. I sent the design team boxes yesterday. I always get a little giddy hoping that they LOVE them as much as I do. The workshop at TIMELESS TREASURE SOLD OUT in one day. Nancy contacted me that night and asked if we could add more tables and add more students. RIGHT now- we have 3 of those spots left. I was so happy that so many people signed up so fast! I can't wait to see you at CHA and the store on January 10th. 

Are you ready for Christmas? This year of course is way different for us. There is not one present under our tree right now. I did go and buy a really inexpensive tree to put up. All of our Christmas is packed in our storage unit and there was no way Ty was going to be able to get it out and up this year with his cancer and hospitalization. However, this little TREE is perfect for US. This Christmas is to focus on what truly matters in life and in our family. The best gift we ever will have is knowing that we are literal sons and daughters of God and can live with Heavenly Father and Jesus again with our family. I am most thankful to know that I will see my mother, father grandmother, father in law, aunts, and family that have passed away. To me, this is what matters. More than ever we will focus on the gift of the Saviors birth and life this year. 

 

 

SNEAK PEEK- first workshop in 2014!!!!!!

This is officially a SNEAK PEEK of one of my BRAND NEW collections that will debut next month at CHA in Anaheim. I have felt inspired to do a collection that is about documenting YOU and YOUR LIFE. It is a line to help anyone tell their life story. WHO ARE YOU? Often, scrapbookers forget to tell the STORY of their life. I did the colors in black, red, kraft, gray, white so that it is very non-gender. I will be teaching THIS new workshop at several locations in the next couple of months. Here is the details of my FIRST workshop for 2014!!!!!! It is in California when I am there for CHA. Sign ups start TODAY- I hope to see you all there. I love that Gentry, and Cheri Piles will be at the store with me at at the tradeshow. This collection is called HELLO, my name is.

HELLO, MY NAME IS workshop 

with Teresa Collins

 Join Teresa Collins for a night of pure inspiration in Southern California. You will create your own 6.5 x 9.5 - 48 page chipboard album that is focused on YOU or someone you love. Using my brand new collection, HELLO, MY NAME IS, create a keepsake book that tells the life story of you or someone you love. Learn how to use my new TC eBosser embossing and die cut machine during the workshop. Create pockets, lift ups, envelopes and more. This book will absolutely be the most meaningful life book that will be treasured. Learn to love your handwriting and journal from the heart. This collection was designed to help others document and tell your story as only you can. 

 

Date:  Friday January 10th 2014

Time: 6:30- 9:30 pm

Project: HELLO, MY NAME IS

 

Here is the store info:

Timeless Treasures

30505 Ave de las Flores #B

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688

(949) 888 7151

*sign ups start TODAY. I hope you will join me!

I am happy to say that Ty started to engraft and his numbers are going up every day. He still has a long way to recovery, but it's looking very promising for him to come home soon. So much to be thankful for!!!!! 

 

H O P E-

 

Okay, I am at the hospital today and I'm just in the room as I watch Ty sleep. I spend a lot of hours each day here just keeping him company. He is not really social but that is okay. I mostly just am here and try to help when needed. I wanted to share something that I heard and I have been telling myself. It is about HOPE. When I see or hear the word HOPE- I think this- 

H- HAVE

O- ONLY

P- POSITIVE

E- EXPECTATIONS

It really is so important to just keep positive and have faith and know it is all going to work out. 

This is the view from Ty's room. Well, we do have a inversion. However, I can see downtown SLC and the view is really pretty. So thankful that we are able to be so close (20 minutes) to the best medical care for Tyler at Huntsman Cancer Institute.

This was the day he was admitted. Since Ty is 6'1 and the last time he was admitted, the regular bed killed his back, so they ordered a special bed for him. This bed inflates like a air mattress and has been such a blessing to him. I have been really impressed with the nurses, aides, doctors and staff here. 

This is the door going into his room. Right now, he is still at zero and has not started to engraft yet. They said day 14-15 is normal. We are at day eleven. He has had blood and platelet transfusions. I think for me, I am so inspired by his spirit through all of this. He has 24 hour TPN (feeding him through his port), fever, horrible stomach problems, mouth problems, etc. He just never complains. They say that this is very common and expected. Still it is hard to see my husband going through all of this. I would trade places with him if I could. 

So after I blogged last, I got the sweetest email from Robin Roberts. Robin is an American television broadcaster. She is the anchor of ABC's morning show Good Morning America. Just five years ago, she beat breast cancer. Recently though, she was diagnosed with MDS or myelodysplastic syndrome. It's a disease of the blood and bone marrow and was once known as preleukemia. Robin received a stem cell transplant  in the fall of 2012. She was hospitalized for several weeks. She has been very open to her share her story and give HOPE to others. She did that for me. She emailed me this week.

 I was so touched that she had took the time to email me and offer advice, support and HOPE. I guess she had seen my blog from a friend and came and read my post. I guess you never know who will read your blog! I am so thankful for the huge support. I am so inspired by her spirit and story and think she is truly a lovely woman. 

 

Right now, I am trying to keep the "home" life as normal as possible given the situation. I am so thankful for the extra love and support we have been given. Often, I will come home to a pizza that has been delivered, or a Shephards Pie casserole (my boys devoured it- thanks Kim!) or homemade bread. I can't tell you how nice it is to have the extra help. 

 

This is the boys on Sunday in the church hallway. They are trying to not fight as much. It's hard when they are only 14 months apart. I am most thankful that they are so positive in this situation. I can honestly say that they are postive and just looking forward to their dad coming home and beating cancer. 

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Sharing some sad news

MERRY & BRIGHT free banner pdf

Hello Monday!

Well, it's been a cold and snowy weekend here. Today it is about 8 degrees where I live. It makes it feel like Christmas. I still have not got a tree up or anything, but that's okay. This year we have so much to be celebrating and thankful for. This weekend has been a hard weekend for Ty. When you have a stem cell transplant they tell you that you are literally going to the brink of death. They are not lying. On Sunday, I went to the hospital and I walked into the BMT unit (bone marrow transplant). I noticed that on the board that lists the patients and who their nurse is for the day that Ty has TWO nurses for the day. That was a first and both of them were male so I knew he must need extra help. I went to open his door and noticed a big sign that said- due to risk of falling patient cannot get up unassisted. He was asleep and I did not want to wake him. I could tell that he has lost even more weight. He has not been able to eat and when he has the little he eats... he can't keep down. So today he will be getting a feeding tube. His platelets were down so they had to give him platelets yesterday. He has a fever too so they are testing him for an infection. This counts are at ZERO so he has no ability to fight any infection. The doctors told him to just "do nothing." They know he is just too weak. We were told that it would get really bad but day by day it would slowly get better. He has had a fever since Saturday, which of course is always concerning. I know that right now he is sleeping alot and that is good for him. He is well taken care of. This gives me great comfort.

 I am just so thankful for the HUGE amount of support from our church family and neighbors too. Yesterday, I went to church with my two sons. Everyone loves my husband. They all asked about him. They are praying for him and they are so supportive to our family. I just felt such peace and love and honestly, I pray all the time. I will tell you fighting CANCER is not for wimps. I have the deepest respect for anyone who is has or is fighting this battle. This experience has changed me in so many ways. 

So today on MY CRAFT CHANNEL I did a MERRY & BRIGHT banner. You can download here for free:

Download TC-Craftwell-M&B

I hope you have a WONDERFUL Monday. 

Endure it WELL....

Well, it is Friday. I woke up with this thought again and kept thinking about it's meaning. When Ty was first diagnosed with cancer I was devastated and in shock. One day, I could hear over and over the words, "ENDURE IT WELL." The words just kept coming to my mind over and over that day. I have thought of this and it has helped me so much since August.

This morning I woke up and had a text that my husband sent me at 4 am in the morning. My heart is truly hurting because he is struggling physically so much right now. I am helpless to help him in any way. The only thing I can do is to talk and visit him, share my love, tell him stories about our children and hold his hand. These moments are tender. Often, he is overcome with tears. I try so hard to be the strong one. However, I am so thankful for prayer. I know God brings us trials and challenges in life because he loves us and knows we will become better from going through them. 

 I'm learning that sometimes we each have to go through things and it's part of our own JOURNEY just as Ty has his journey. So I just start down the path, and walk it faithfully. I am trying to deal with all the stuff that tries to knock me off my path. There are days when I wonder if I can do it. It's day by day.... but I have great faith and hope.  I don't just want to endure this, I want to "endure it well".

My boys have been helping me so much. Each night we read our scriptures and pray together before they go to bed. I can't tell you what a difference this makes. The spirit of having them pray for  their dad is really sweet and beautiful. I know God listens to these heartfelt prayers. My boys are constantly coming up and hugging me and (don't tell their friends) sometimes even kiss my cheek. Yes, this trial has brought our children even closer to Ty and I. 

Right now, Ty's counts are Neutropenic. That is defined as an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of less than 1500 per microliter. He can't fight any infections right now and he is just feeling very weak and horrible. He is struggling just to get any food down and taking it day by day in his recovery. Right now they are doing everything they can to avoid a feeding tube. 

 

 

It's was REBIRTH- transplant day today!

Well today was a long time in the works. Tyler had the transplant this morning. So many people may not quite understand what that meant so I'll explain. After 18 chemo treatments in the past six days, Ty was ready today to have his stem cells put back into his body. 

A stem cell transplant is like a blood transfusion. During the procedure, he got his own stem cells through his central line- his port that was surgically put in his chest about a month ago. Once the stem cells were in his body, they then travel to his bone marrow and begin making new red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. We could actually see the platelets with a flashlight that they gave us. 

I was by his side and he was awake ( a little groggy from the medication) during the transplant. You can get medicine to help you stay calm and relaxed. Doctors and nurses stayed with him the entire time to check his blood pressure, breathing, and pulse, and they watched for signs of fever or chills. 

The transplant took about an hour and half. It was so fast. This includes the time to set up the procedure, do the transplant, and check you afterward. They gave him 5 million stem cells today.

Right after they did the procedure, his hospital door opened and in came every nurse in the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit and doctors singing HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Ty. They gave him a BALLOON and a blanket that a volunteer had had. They signed a card. They explained it to us... TODAY was his REBIRTH day. Cancer patients receive a unique gift with these transplants. They know what it’s like to come too close to death. They call it “Day Zero” – the day you are literally “reborn” from a cellular level. They call it your “re-birth” day — and you are given the amazing blessing to become cancer free. Oh, my as they came in the door, I looked at Tyler. I had instant tears in my eyes. Oh how my heart was overjoyed that they were able to do this to save his life. They had told us that without this transplant he would not live. I looked over at my brave husband. Wow, he is amazing me each day with his faith and strengthn. In this daily trials he is always most concerned about me and our children. He has quite the journey ahead. We held hands for a long time today. We talked about the future. We are making plans for a year from now. They say it may take that long for him to fully recover. 

You can stay in the hospital for weeks or even months after your stem cell transplant- you just really never know and every patient is different. In the first few days after the procedure, his blood cell levels will continue to go down. This is because of the BEAM chemotherapy he got before the transplant. It was intense!

We were told the doctors will test his blood 7 to 10 days after the transplant to see whether new blood cells have begun to grow. They'll check his blood counts every day to track his progress. The doctors and nurses will carefully watch for side effects from chemotherapy and radiation, infections and grafting issues. 

So many of you have emailed, texted and called and really encouraged me. THANK YOU! Honestly, I have not been that strong lately. I wish I could say that I have but I feel like I've been weak. It really has been my own fault I tend to put too much on my plate and there is only 24 hours in a day. I think it took a lot of honesty for me to finally tell my closest friends and Tyler that I am not doing as well as I seemed to be. I have felt so torn to be at two places at one time for the past week. Or if you count work that is 3 places.  PS this is just not possible!!!! I think I would not be honest if I did not say that this is honestly the most challenging  and stressful time emotionally for me right now. I have to be strong for my kids, strong for Ty and often all I want to do is climb in bed and cry. There is so much to get done. I know it will get better. I just have to take it a day at a time. I have to stop beating myself up because I don't have a single Christmas decoration up this year and don't see it happening anytime soon, or that it's Zellie's 2nd birthday on the 4th and I haven't even been to a store to buy her a gift. It tugs at my heart all the things about all the things I am not doing. Anyway, I just felt like I needed to open up more. It actually makes me feel better just expressing it. Whew!!!!! Today I cried in the car wishing I could call my mother and talk to her. It's times like these when it makes it really hard not having my parent and grandparents around anymore. 

 TODAY was a REALLY great day... a celebration day for our family and most especially Tyler... REBIRTH day!!!! I am overjoyed and OH so thankful.  

December 1st GIVEAWAY- 12 Days of Home for the Holidays

 

 

I'm hosting a blog hop give away today. 

Day 1 Teresa Collins  http://www.teresacollins.typepad.com/ 
Day 2 Cheryl Waters  http://blog.artsyfindings.com/
Day 3 Maggie Holmes  http://maggieholmes.typepad.com/
Day 4 Jenni Bowlin  http://jennibowlin.blogspot.com/
Day 5 Kathy Cano-Murillo, aka. Crafty Chica   http://www.craftychica.com/site/
Day 6 Candy Rosenberg  http://candyscraps.typepad.com/scraps/ 
Day 7 Katrina Hunt  http://paperscissorsandglue.blogspot.com/
Day 8 Stephenie Hamen  http://mycraftyadventures.com/
Day 9 Catherine Scanlon  http://cmscanlon.blogspot.com/
Day 10 Christy Tomlinson  http://www.christytomlinson.typepad.com/
Day 11 Leslie Ashe  http://leslieashe.blogspot.com/
Day 2 Ken Oliver  http://www.kensworldinprogress.com/

 

Go look at my post on my traditions for the holiday here today at-

D's Paper Studio
12 Days of Home for the Holidays

 

Post to win a HUGE box of product from me!!!! I promise you will be so happy. I boxed it up with so much stuff. So check out the blog today and post a comment here to win!!!!!

 

Make sure you check out each day all the other blogs as well... I know you will feel so inspired!!!!