Turns out I have been unclear. In my attempts to be artistic and profound, I have been vague. I haven’t really told you exactly what’s been going on in my life. The reason I haven’t been in my anchor chair for past few weeks is because I have brain cancer.
I got the diagnosis a couple weeks ago and have since been living the life of someone who has just found out they have brain cancer. My rockin’ neurosurgeon, Dr. Frank Coufal at Scripps Memorial in La Jolla, removed the large mass of it two weeks ago. I hung around ICU for about a week after that before I was released home. Since then, I have been meeting with the people who will make me all better. If you’re into the specifics of these types of things— it’s a grade 3, primary brain tumor called Anaplastic Astrocytoma, an aggressive type of brain cancer in my left frontal lobe. As a side note: that’s the area that controls speech, not optimum when you make your living as a San Diego Anchorman. Thankfully, I only lost my speech for a short while. The doctors tell me I have between 1 and 3 years to live.
So boo-hoo, poor me.
Oh yeah…I forgot to mention…I’m gonna beat this thing. Radiation starts within the next two weeks, then chemo. In addition to that chemical cocktail, I’ll be receiving treatment through the Tibetan Healing Center. I also bought a motorhome. Susie and I intend to see some of those national parks we’ve been enjoying in your Facebook photos. These will be short trips because I also plan to return to work soon…with a badass “Bond villain” scar on the side of my head.
Thank you guys for all of your support. My family has also been amazing and strong—not without times of fear and doubt, but nothing we can’t handle.
I look forward to seeing you back on Fox 5 News soon.
Loren
P.S. Here are photos of my brain before and after the surgery. Pretty cool, huh?
[Above: Before Surgery/Below: After Surgery]
The Nancarrow Project 
God Bless and Angel Huggs. Sending lots of positive thoughts and prayers your way.
Just remember that when they told Norman Cousins he had an aggressive form of cancer, and had about a month to live, he did all things Western and Eastern. He also had the nurses bring in a VCR and all of the Marx Brothers VHS’s available. They could hear him laughing day in and day out. And, the cancer went into remission, much to the physicians surprise and delight. He went on to live another 25 years and died of something not even remotely related to cancer. He told me he had “laughed it out”. True story. Hang in there.
Loren did you get my message that ORGANIC JACK also has brain cancer but his is GBM and we were given 6-8 months and he has gone two years in March…………he did six weeks of radiation and six weeks of Tremador and now does chemo every other Friday and has for almost two years. His is on the MEMORY part of his brain and we have given up everything we used to do………all the “organic” talks Jack did about 40 times a year and all the rose societies and activities…….but we pray a lot and we do our best to stay positive and live each day to the fullest. You got to keep fighting it and not give up………..so blessings to you and how ironic that you and Jack would both have brain cancer. You are in our thoughts and prayers and enjoy that motorhome……xoxoxo Bonnie and Jack Shoultz organicjack@cox.net http://www.organicrosecare.org and also known as the The Good E.A.R.T.H Rose Committee as Jack wrote for the American Rose Society magazine for about 5 years before he had to quit because of the brain cancer…Stage 4 when diagnoses.
I had wondered why he’d be quiet recently, and I apologize for not reaching out. Give him my very best and thank you so much for your encouraging words about your own journey. You give me hope.
Loren
Loren, I continue to send positive, healing energy your way.
Hoping for the best for you, Loren. I love your upbeat attitude. I’m sure it is hard. My daughter had an astrocytoma at age 15 months. They removed it and luckily for her, it turned out well. She’s now 24 years old, graduated from Berkeley and very successful. Thinking positive thoughts for you and hoping your outcome is also positive.
Love it. Thank you so much and congrats to her.
Loren
“Bond villain scar.” When I see you back at the anchor desk petting a bald cat, I will know you haven’t lost your sense of humor. Think of the ratings! Know I wish nothing but the best for you and your loving family! xoxox’s from Fallbrook!
Loren… I used to work at KFMB many moons ago and my hubby worked with Sandi over at KSWB… and of course we both know Jim. I have always respected your work but more importantly how absolutely relatable, kind and funny you have always been at work. My hubby didn’t have brain tumors, like you and Jim, but he’s had several brain hemorrhages and I have to say… the brain is a beautiful, wondrous thing… it has ways of healing that no doctor really understands. So keep up the positive thoughts… and move onward and upwards… even in the dark times… fight the urge to go to dark places. Be a fighter. Laugh often. Enjoy, taste, and and relish in the new life you have ahead of you. Our prayers and thoughts of healing and health are with you and of course your wife and family.
Julie Black
from ROSARITO ,MEXICO ,,GET WELL SOON ,AMIGO !!!QUE DIOS ESTE CONTIGO (THE LORD BE WITH YOU )
God Bless you and your wonderful family! You are an amazing person and you will beat this!!
Keep up your positive attitude, Loren! Been watching you for years and plan on continuing to watch you for many more!! xoxo
You continue to inspire and strive to inspire. So much love to you and all you hold dear. I moved to TN in 2009 but you’re still that piece of my heart I call West Coast.
Loren, enjoy the travels with your wife! We are ALL here for you and know you will beat this and return to your anchor post so we can all enjoy your coming into our homes each day!
Loren, you’re in my heart and prayers. I too am about to embark upon a cancer journey, but I’ve been there before. Your attitude is excellent. . .keep up the fighting spirit, kiddo! It’s all good. . .
Dang Loren! Pretty good sized tumor! Mine was 6.5 cm taken out at Scripps also. That was in 1995. Positive thoughts your way each evening around 9 pm…listen for them! I wish the very best for you and Susie each and every day! Hang in there buddy!
Looking forward to ALL the blogs from your rv adventures and please travel safe and far for many years to come.
Kick it ass dude. Take no prisoners. Beat it to a pulp.
Dear Loren and Susie, You both are in my heart and I wish you great joy on your journey. Once I went alone in the winter to Chaco Canyon in New Mexico. The sense of peace there is incredible. A place to meditate and think of all the blessings you have been given and the many more that will come. We will be with you as you travel this wonderful country. Love, Audra
Loren, if Love was a plant, what kind of plant would it be and why?
Looks in the pictures like they got it all.The one to three years diagnosis is only some kind of marker right,that could mean ten years at least that I hope you get to roam the wilderness being a tree hugger with your beautiful wife.
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Thoughts are with Loren and his family! ❤
Oh my…I’m so sorry Loren. I know this wasn’t the news y’all were hoping for and how hard it is. Stay strong. Keep the faith. You’ve been blessed with a loving family and many fine friends! Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Try and find the laughter everyday and I know you’ll stop and smell the roses! And hey…ROAD TRIP!! Have a most excellent adventure and Enjoy!!!
My Thoughts and Prayers are with you! Hang in there!
You are truly an inspiration Loren. I’ve been blessed to have 2 people in my life beat cancer when they were told they didn’t have much longer (one was 26 years ago, the other 5 years ago and both are still healthy and thriving) and I know you can do the same! I’ve always admired you as a public figure and will follow your progress every step of the way! You and your family are in my constant thoughts!
Wishing you a speedy full recovery. Placing you on an International Prayer Circle. Sending you healing and light and lots of love. Thank you for all you do!
My niece is in remission from brain cancer. For a quick read about her amazing life, you can read her book (technically not a well written epic, but it was from her) You can download it from Amazon, “Game Changer” by Elizabeth Puleo. It’s about 45 pages long. She is 23 now. She wasn’t supposed to live past 5 and then 8, and now she is preparing to graduate from college. She just gave a speech in front of 1500 people this past weekend. She is incredible. I call her my energizer bunny on steroids, nothing, absolutely nothing can stop her. I pray the same for you. DAF
Keep-up the good fight. You are loved and appreciated, by MANY!
Patty and I are always ready to take you all on a hike with a nice bottle of wine when you make the time to. We have close hikes i.e. Mission trails (1-2 hours) and close hikes 2 miles and spend the day relaxing by a waterfall 30 minutes out the 8. Let us know and we will take care of the details bro. Peace Mark : >
Loren, I love the positive attitude, you rock. By the way, when you and Susie go sightseeing I highly recommend Monument Valley, you will be amazed. I’m still looking to photograph another Fog Bow to send to you when you get back on the job @ Fox 5.
Loren, You may have heard or read this already, but you are not a milk carton. There is no expiration date stamped on your forehead! You need to check out Cheryl Broyles website or book. She has had 3-4 surgeries and is a long time survivor and she also had a grade 4. Or go onto VirtualTrails.com, there are a ton of long term survivors. There is some great information on that site as well. After doing over a year of research, I can tell you the doctors don’t really know that much, there is much trail and error, contact a Major Brain Cancer Center and there is always HOPE!!
I am repainting my nails blue again tonight after doing yardwork today. Yes, there are woman out here that like to play in the dirt like you 🙂
Terri
I am such a fan of yours and have been for many years. My thoughts are with you and your family! Go to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon…it’s amazing. 🙂
Cathy and I are here pulling for you, we can relate, as I was diagnosed with prostate cancer 4 years ago, it really does change things. But as you I had the greatest support team, so we will keep rooting for you! your friends Lee and Cathy PS were saying some prayers!!
Sending healing vibes and strenght!! YOU are the light for so many peoples lives and we are all pulling for a speedy recovery!!
we love you and you will BEAT this… our thoughts are with you…Have an amazing adventure in the motorhome….. lots of pictures…… HUGS
Well Lauren you’ve always inspired me with your gardening tips, but now you are inspiring me to live each moment to its fullest. We are all so vulnerable…and when it comes down to it, our family is what counts most. My husband, David, and I met you and Susie last year, while in line to see Willie Nelson at the Belly-Up. I was struck then by how darn nice and unassuming you both were…still wondering why you didn’t use your anchorman clout to get in early! Having briefly met Susie that night, I liked her instantly and can only imagine how she must help keep the positive flow going. She was just hilarious that night! I wish you well and am looking forward to seeing your new badass look on Fox 5!
Maureen Everett
Loren – We’re sending you positive thoughts and keeping you in our prayers long distance. My wife and I are a couple of native San Diegans who migrated East; heard about your illness from friends online. Looking forward to seeing you on TV and maybe even around town when we visit SD next.
Lots of white light coming your way, Loren. The Tibetan Healing Center is a great move on your part to use both traditional and healing arts. I do healing with animals and the changes I see are incredible.
You are in the best possible hands at Scripps La Jolla. They are amazing!! Prayers fro you and your family during this difficult time. Keep the cobalt blue going!!!
Thank you for the more detailed info. We care.
Yes, you’ve been vague, but when you wrote “…numbers 3 or 4, not important…” I, sadly, knew what you meant. I know the word cancer from a caregiver, griever point of view. Yes, you’ll beat this and you will be a better person because of it. Please know that all the caregivers in your life will hurt for you so badly that they will want to take your place. But, things happen the way they’re supposed to. Everyone has been given the role they can handle. So be a good patient and let your caregivers help you. Get your caregivers the help they need too. May God bless you and yours as you go through this journey. May I suggest that you collect flat, soft rocks along your travels, write a word that describes hope with your blue nail polish and place them in a basket. When you feel low, go to that basket and instantly they will bring you joy. Wishing you and your loved ones (caregivers) hope, faith, and love.
Laugh, and the world laughs with you. Blue nails and all, you’re profoundly profound and are, sincerely, an inspiration. Rock on Lauren.
We love to camp. Let us know if you guys ever want camping buddies. The ranch is also beautiful and you are always welcome to camp here. It’s close 🙂 And you would be able to view our majestic bison.
Hope to hear from you
Ken and Denice Childs
It’s been too long since we’ve seen you. Thanks so much for connecting with us. When we head out that way, we’ll give you a call and come say “Hi”. Thanks again.
xoxo
Wow, Loren. Praying for God to heal you. He is the great healer. Matthew 9:35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.
Luke 9:11 the crowds learned followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.
Can’t hurt.
I am seen unbeatable cancer get it’s ass kicked. I hope to see you do the same.
Can’t wait to see you in your Anchor chair!
God bless you and keep you.
My most urgent prayers are underway for you,Lauren, and having survived breast cancer, I’m aware of part of your anxious living. But having been through 4 diagnoses of “possibly terminal,” (all of which were not correct) I feel you too will learn to live each day to the best of your ability and thankful you have family support. Your fans also will be there, as I am sure you will find out.
Lauren: you are awesome! I love your approach to this situation, and so happy you are heading into treatment. I’m here eight years later and Roy is six months out. We know you can do this! XXOO. Roy and Robin
We love you guys too and need a Cordiano Winery visit soon.
Green smoothies!!!!! http://www.rawfamily.com/green-smoothie
Living each day as positive as you are now will allow you and Susie to really enjoy the parks. Looking forward to seeing you back on television and providing the local gardeners with your crazy concoctions.
You will continue to be on my group’s healing list. You will beat this thing!!