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 
Hi Loren, I have followed you since I came to SD in 1989. My husband and. I were so sorry to hear the news. Wow, I had Dr. Coufal work on my neck last year and may do a repeat performance this year. He is rockin good for sure. I am so glad you guys are going park hoppin with your wife. I just want you to know you and your family are going to be in my daily prayers. The God who created your body can heal your body as well. Prayers and hugs to your family. Thank you for sharing your private news so we can pray for you.
Loren….as a longtime fan of yours, I wish you healing. I admire your attitude and forthrightness. I think you have an unexpected life experience that you can find things to teach to all of us in the coming days, months, and years. In reading through your blog, it’s clear you don’t need much advice from others. You have an amazing outlook on life on this Earth. By the way, Rod at Scripps IS the man.
I have always liked you so much…I always said that when you were on TV with your baseball cap, all was right with the world. This news break my heart, as I lost my husband last June to prostrate cancer that metastised to his bones. I pray for your recovery…I am so sick of this horrible disease taking such good people too young. God bless you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Get better!
Loren. Over the years I have watched you on various news stations. I was impressed with your professionalism and your ability to talk on our level. I was at Scripps Memorial Hospital the day before you were there. Unfortunately, I too have brain cancer. I was diagnosed with Stage III meingioma brain cancer 3 years ago and have endured 2 major brain surgeries, The first operation was 10 hours long. The last one was in May 2012, a mere 7 months ago, and lasted 8 hours. I barely survived the last operation. Doctors tell me the news of my shortened life expectancy and I listen. I too, am going to beat this beast. It is not an easy journey, and I have had many setbacks along the way. I have endured two sets of radiation treatments but chemo does not work for my type of cancer. You will beat this too, but use the love of your family, friends, and those like me that have followed you in your career. Be strong, believe, and stop occasionally and smell those roses sitting on your patio.
Loren – thank you. That is all – Thank you.
Loren:
Bad things happen to good people, but all so often, good people with positive mental attitudes — surrounded by love, faith and the finest clinical sciences — experience the most amazing outcomes.
You’ve been a source of wisdom and cheer on a large scale during your life and times, and we’re glad to be sharing this era with you.
Here’s hoping a world of excellent adventures lie ahead, and don’t hesitate to lean on us for anything …
Love and best wishes!
Gene C. & Jan H.
Loren, I met you at a water conservation meeting held locally in Penasquitos. Your message and passion were so compelling, I went out the very next day and purchased water tank(s), a pump and tubing. Within 2 weeks, I was watering all of my shrubs with reclaimed water from my roof and my washing machine. I felt so good about using water that would have just washed down the drain. And the plants loved it. Your gift to me will never be forgotten. Sending you good vibes Loren. Me and the rest of the world..
Loren, I’m devastated at the news….I moved here in 2000 and have “followed you” from station to station ever since…..I’m placing your name at the top of my prayer list…happy to see you have the motorhome ideal, that’s what my husband and I did when he got cancer and we traveled to 44 states before he passed away…now I live with happy memories of those days…God Bless.
Dear Loren,
You kindly introduced yourself to my Danish husband and me when you were temporarily living on our street in Cardiff. We took lots of walks up and down the hill and conversed with you and your little pet bird. (Now I forget the bird’s name.) We enjoy your wonderful personality and watched you on the various channels of your TV anchorage. I realize you are probably inundated with well-intentioned “cures” but cannot help but suggest you check out http://www.thedantolman.com He spoke this month in Encinitas and is adamant that healthy foods CAN cure everything that ails us. He has spent his life researching how foods work in the body. He tours internationally, sharing his “food revolutionary” ideas. Even if you don’t care for his ideas, his humor is certainly unique and entertaining.
Prayers and blessings from your Norfolk neighbors,
Pauline & Jan
Hi Loren … you don’t know me but you should. I mean c’mon, we met (once?) 4 or 5 years ago at the Encinitas Einstein’s bagel shop and shared a really special moment: (me) “hi Loren” … (you) “hi!”. Okay, maybe there was a little more conversation but my point is, as has already been stated here, you’re approachable and don’t hesitate to engage ‘people’ never treating them as ‘strangers’ (geez, be careful here!). An awesome personal trait that is admired and respected and should always be emulated. So, here I am, emulatin’ away. When I see you again, I’ll add “what’s up?” to my oh so engaging conversation. Peace brother, be well and stay funny … see you on the blob-tube soon! (wait a minute, the “l” has been removed, we can put the “o” back in … yay!!!)
Loren,
As others have stated, I grew up watching you on Channels 10, 8, and now 5/69. I have learned so much about gardening and home brew remedies from watching your Growing Green segments and other segments you have done. Have been wondering why I haven’t seen you on. I kept hearing the other news people say things like “We wish Loren well.” We miss Loren.” and other excellent things like that and just knew something had happened but didn’t know what. I found your blog VIA your Twitter account that I have been following and in browsing through I found this post. WOW!!! I was moved, and humbled how you are handling it. I have had several people in my family pass away from various kinds of cancer and it is not good for the person going through it or their families.For you and your family to go through it and make it public shows the kind of person you are. Humble, kind and passionate about life itself. I will keep you and your family in my prayers everyday and I have no doubt you will beat this. May God bless you and your family and hold you in HIs arms forever.
Loren, Glad to see you on the road to recovery, stay strong , Doctor Coufal is doing surgery on my back Monday. I think that we are both in good hands. Dan Field
Dan, Dr. Coufal did my surgery last year on my neck and back. He is awesome and he is an amazing surgeon. You will be in great hands. Good luck and stay strong.
You can beat this! Strength & faith to you.
Loren,
Sending positive vibes your way. You and your wife always made me smile when you would come into station sushi years back. I have enjoyed your reporting since I was a little kid and miss you in the chair. Get better soon and hope to see you around the beaches soon!
Lauren,
All of your friends (both known and unknown to you) up here in Julian are praying for your complete recovery and for strength as you go though your treatments. I just hate it when bad things happen to good people but you can beat this. Great attitude but I would expect nothing else from you. I’ve always been a fan of your life attitude. Thank you for sharing this so we can all help you fight the blob. The National Parks are so amazing and I have no doubt that you will enjoy your time in them with Susie, and hopefully your kids.will be able to join you now and then, too. Maybe look into the Optimum Health Institute since it’s so close by in Spring Valley. Organic Wheat Grass couldn’t hurt.
My sincerest best wishes for you and your family as you go though this health challenge.
Peace to you in knowing that the Lord is in control and has plans for you right here.
Oh! Lauren, with so many friends, known and unknown, pulling and praying for you there’s no way you can’t overcome this malady. So, chin up my friend and know that you are loved by all.
Oh! Lauren, with so many friends, known and unknown, pulling and praying for you there’s no way you can’t overcome this malady. So, chin up my friend and know that you are loved by all.
Pat Drew
Encinitas
Loren, I never had the opportunity to meet you directly but my son, Anderson did, as he was friends of your children while attending high school. Anderson had shared with me how great you and your family are. He was especially impressed with your milkshakes! I just wanted you to know we are thinking of you and sending prayers your way. My husband and I are both cancer survivors and we both understand what it is like to be patient and/or caregiver. Keep your positive attitude, and fight, fight, fight!
Many Blessings,
Anne Chase
Loren, when you’re up to it, my paddling buddies and I want to take you and Susie for a little harbor cruise in our outrigger canoes in Oceanside. We’ll pick a sunny morning and you’ll find that the ocean is a great vantage point for admiring the snow in the local mountains. Just say the word and your amigos in the Oceanside Outrigger ohana (family) will pick you up dockside and return you safely to shore. The ocean is wonderful medicine, as any veteran North County coastal resident well knows.
Holy,,, Loren, Hemp Oil, WILL FIX YOU guaranteed,,, sorry to say, unless it has been caught too late. Wishing you a long healthy life ahead man.
ps, not hemp-Seed oil, the other stuff they have outlawed because it works to cure.
Hey, Loren. Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I grew up watching you on the news in San Diego. I’m now a neuro-oncologist, and I did my fellowship at UCLA and MSKCC. You could consider talking with the group at UCLA Neuro-Oncology (ie Dr. Timothy Cloughesy). When I was there, we saw a lot of patients from San Diego, and they are a really great group of docs there. I’m sure the docs in San Diego are wonderful as well, but sometimes a second opinion can help. Plus, some clinical trial options might be available at UCLA. I also have a website, http://www.docsbydocs.com, if you want free content for brain tumor-related issues. I created it to given neuro-oncologists a place to post content that will hopefully be helpful for patients with brain tumors and their caregivers.
Best of luck to you! Don’t give up the fight. Lots of great new therapies are found all the time.
Take care.
Scott Peak, M.D.
Loren,
I and my family went through the same thing with my dad last year. He had a glioblastoma brain tumor. No one knows where these tumors come from but we all need to circle the wagons and say some prayers together for strength to handle what will be. That’s what I will do for you. Take care and God bless…Cindy
You are an inspiration, Loren!!! We are sending you and Susie good juju everyday! XO
Loren, you may only remember me saying hello to you every now and then at Starbuck’s in the Lumberyard Encinitas. I alway felt like you were a friend of mine, so as a friend of mine, I would also like to send Reiki to you and your family. I believe you will beat this thing and outlive all your doctors expectations. Perhaps I will run into you again on the coast soon. Be well! I am grateful you have been an influence in my life.
Sincerely,
Robert
My mom was told she had a year to live (maybe), 22 months ago by her then doctor, and just last week her amazing doctor, Dr Derick Helton of the cancer center in Encinitas told her that she was “truly a miracle” as her tumor markers had gone from 1300 at diagnosis to between 5 and 7 for over the past 6 months. She had stage 4 color cancer which had spread to her liver. She still has issues with MDS and needs frequent transfusions, but we figure if we had one miracle we can have another. Along with her treatment from Dr. Helton, we did a lot of juicing and a lot of praying. She kept a great attitude about her health and it seems to have paid off. Sending prayers and blessings your way!
Loren,
Your words of encouragement stand as a testament of your personality. I was hospitalized 10 years ago I was very sick, and it didn’t look good from the Dr’s perspective. I wasn’t ready to give up and today I am still fighting the great fight. My life is amazing and totally blessed. You have been a public figure my entire time in San Diego and people are learning not to give up because of you. Our attitude in the fight makes up 90% of the cure and 100% of our life, it defines who we are and gives hope to others. I didn’t do the national park trip, But Disneyland sure appreciates my all to frequent visits. Im 47 now but still feel like im 18. In reality if everybody had the opportunity to live as though tomorrow could be our last day, this whole world would be a much better day. I wish you the best. Shaun
Loren I have never met you, I live in La Jolla.
I think you are very brave and courageous .
Thank you for sharing your story:)
Excellent attitude. Excellent role model. Thanks Loren
Loren:
You spelled it out very well that you do in fact have brain cancer. Some people receiving such definite information might wonder, “Why me?” Maybe that crossed your mind in the beginning, but I don’t hear you saying that now. Now I think you are saying, “O………key. Well, what the (bleep) are we going to do about it?” I have been around a number of family members who have had cancer and each one faced their own diagnosis differently. Seeing you take on this personal challenge so squarely is not a huge surprise, but to do it publicly is. I deeply admire your gumption in facing the intruder (aka The Blob), not alone, but with your hometown support; you are a humbler man than many to do so. Guess you’ll be wearing your-blob defense blue nail polish for a while until The Blob gets the message that you have a great force of others besides yourself who are ready and waiting to defend you; their nails are blue too!
“May the force be with you,” in the days and weeks ahead until The Blob gets the message he is no longer welcome in your head. (That sounds dumb but I still like it!). Smile on, Loren.
Dear Loren: You don’t know me, but we’ve been “running into each other” for the past ten years in Encinitas and Cardiff. I just want you to know that my friends brother was given 8 months with stage four malignant melanoma. That was 2 1/2 years ago and he is doing better than ever. Hang in there. From your regular stranger…hugs and hope to you and your family.
Dear Loren….. you have brought so much color to our world here in San Diego. Someday we will miss you…… until then, please do what you need to do so we can continue to reap the reward of having you be a part of our world here in San Diego.
With all our prayers,
Sincerely,
The McDonald family
To Our Dear Friend Loren. We were rather surprised to hear this about you. Dave and I wish you and your family the very best. If you and Susie get the chance come up to the mountain and hang out for a few hours and watch the cows eat. You are one of the kindest, most caring people I have ever met…..I have some great pictures of you and Brit at the round up you came to. Can’t remember if I sent them or not, so I will do so again, just in case I didn’t. Our dear Tulley is doing just fine and enjoying life…..Take care dear friend.
Mendenhall Ranch
Dave and Judy
If anyone can beat this thing, it’s YOU, Loren! You have countless friends in your corner, so many well wishers, sending you positive energy and prayers; Soak it all in, keep up that great attitude and have faith. All the best to you and your family.
Najla
My heart goes out to you and your family.
Sorry to hear that Loren. I wish you well in your fight. If you are interested in reading a blog by someone who battled this disease valiantly, you can visit http://melonthump.blogspot.com/. Terry Harper was the Executive Director of The Society of Professional Journalists, among other things.
Good luck and Godspeed.
Dear Loren,
Rotten news. My father had the same cancer you’re dealing with and it was in the part of his brain that affected his personality. Over a period of about 15 years, he went from being a sweet, happy go lucky guy to an angry man. Our neighbors noticed the slow change and pointed it out after he passed.
It was way back in 1969 when his tumor was found. It was far beyond yours and at that time, there was nothing doctors could do. He was only 54 years old; I was 16.
From one treehugger to another, keep ahold of that wonderful, positive attitude you’ve shared with us all these years. If anyone can keep this thing at bay, it’s you.
Best wishes to you and yours,
Anita
Loren, your attitude determines your altitude….and from your post….YOU WILL BEAT THIS!!! I can’t wait to see you on the “tube.” After all these years, I’m starting my first organic garden and you are the inspiration! Stay strong and positive my brother!
Loren: I, too, am a stranger…to you!!–but you’re a friend to all of us here in San Diego. I live here in Encinitas. Would see you in the morning years ago during the OPE drop off or more recently at Frog’s. I, too, miss your weather reports and great tips on everything we love about living in San Diego. You helped me cure my peach tree from leaf curl. You showed me how to keep my Christmas tree fresh (with bleach…that blew me away). I, too, am a cancer survivor…in year 9 now. I’ve prayed for you and will keep you in my prayers for a complete and lengthy recovery. I know it was the prayers of so many that kept me strong, kept me positive, through 2 1/2 years of treatments. So I’m giving those prayers to you and your family, because all things are possible with God. Enjoy the parks…they are gems and SO right in your wheelhouse. God bless you.
We are praying for you! Prayer does amazing things…..
Just read back a few posts. You call yours the “blob,” we called my husband’s the “varmint.” He was diagnosed with AA/GBM brain cancer in July 2011. Unfortunately, his was down deep, in the corpus collosum and in the hypothalmus (I’ve learned a lot of brain geography), so they weren’t able to remove any. Removing as much as possible is a GREAT thing!!!!
I have walked the path you and your loved ones are on. We kept focused on the positive and the humorous things so the time we had with him is now SO cherished.
Praying/meditating for you. Buh-bye, BLOB! 😛
P.S. Hook up with San Diego Brain Tumor groups–GREAT support groups!
You are going to beat it and with the power of your attitude and support from every person that has met you! I’ve sat in the stands watching the baseball games at LCC or having sushi in the lumberyard. You got my prayer everyday.
The only hand that can heal you is the one who created you not your cancer and he wants you to open the door to your heart. He is knocking. He will be your strength and your victory in this ugly battle. My Family and I will be praying and believing for your healing Loren.
Your courage in the face of this is an inspiration to me! ENJOY the peace and solitude you will find on your National Parks tour……things this bad just shouldn’t happen to good folks…..like you.
Loren I pray healing on your brain. You will beat it!!!!! Dios te Bendiga!!!
I have been watching you on the news for at least 30 years, teaching me how to take care of those ants, which bug in my garden I can squash. And I will be watching you again on channel 69 because I know that you will beat this past the expectation of 1 to two years.
Pretty great post. I just stumbled upon your weoblg and wished to say that I have truly enjoyed browsing your weoblg posts. In any case I will be subscribing for your feed and I’m hoping you write once more soon!
this is one of my favorites! my rmoioe borrowed it one day and then went out to buy her own because she loved it too! it’s such a great polish.
Loren,
I am a complete stranger who still misses your weather forecasts on channel 10 (ABC) and your insightful extensions into the Universe, Nature, and healthy and happy Lifestyles. You shared parts of you that left a lasting impression on surely many more than just me! I wish you complete recovery! It is all in the attitude, and I am certain you will conquer this with ease. Know that you are loved and though of by people you may never meet, yet who will always be part of “your family”.
Loren,
I imagine you don’t remember me yet we use to cross paths (1996 or so) in Encinitas. Usually early Saturday morning in the Stater Bothers supermarket right next to El camino Real and Encinitas Blvd or often Home Depot… I would have my infant son Nicky in the shopping basket. He had long platinum blonde hair……You would always stop and ask as to how we were…….Ever so the gentleman,
At home we would watch you on Channel 8 or 10 (I can’t remember its been so long) Nicky would always point out how he knew you & remembered you as the nice man in the store..
Well Nicky is gone now, he left my world in 2002. However I pray for your recovery and sincerely wish you all the best. for you and your family. God bless you!
B.
Loren,
I’m praying to Jesus Christ, our Devine Healer, for a complete recovery for you. I hope to see you at your Anchor Desk for many long years to come. God be with you through your long months of treatment.
Lorenzo, there’s no way you and Susie are taking this diagnosis without anything but courage and determination. Going to National Parks is a dream of mine too, let us see what you’re seeing please and let me know what you like best. Keep the attitude high, and stop by New Mexico for a trip to a Kiva for me. Love you Andy Casillas
Thanks Andy. I hope you’ll understand, but I’ll need an Andy hug sooner rather than later. After I get my strength back, prepare to latch on!
We miss you!
Loren and Susie