On Saturday, December 30, 2017, Lauren’s journey began. She was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer after she was rushed by ambulance to the ER at Valley Medical Center in Renton with severe stomach pain. She underwent her first of 2 surgeries on New Year's Eve to remove multiple tumors. A second surgery was performed on Tuesday, January 2nd. Lauren remained in the hospital until she recovered from her surgeries.

Lauren began a grueling regimen of chemo which showed continual shrinkage of her tumor markers such that a surgery was done the second week of October of 2018 believing there was a possibility that all the cancer could be removed as well as a reversal of her colostomy along with repair of a hernia she had developed could be done. Disappointingly, only a few peritoneal cancer tumors could be removed because there were minute cancer areas that did not show up on the scan as they were too small to be seen. Doctors at this time felt they could go no further. This was a devastating development as Lauren, her family, and friends have been fighting for a cure. Lauren has taken all of the chemotherapy treatments recommended and the tumor markers show continued shrinkage. 

After receiving the devastating news, Lauren did some research and sought out the opinion of a surgeon in Baltimore who is known to perform the Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy procedure (HIPEC). HIPEC is a cancer treatment that involves filling the abdominal cavity with chemotherapy drugs that have been heated. Also known as “hot chemotherapy,” HIPEC is performed after the surgeon removes tumors or lesions from the abdominal area. After consulting with the surgeon, Lauren flew to Baltimore to see if the procedure was an option for her. The surgeon performed a scope of her abdominal cancer on Monday, January 21, 2019 to determine if he would be able to do the surgery. He has given the go ahead and will be performing the surgery on February 14th.

Brandon and Lauren will need to fly back to Baltimore for the surgery and it has been determined Lauren will be in the hospital for at least three weeks. As you might imagine, the financial burden of this will be overwhelming because neither Brandon nor Lauren will be able to work. Lauren will need extensive time off to recover and heal from this invasive procedure. As before, please continue with your prayers, but also if you are able to help out monetarily, it would help relieve some of the substantial stress this life threatening disease has already caused in their lives.