Help Lauren Brown Find a Life Saving Living Liver Donor

05/21/2026

Radiation procedure was completed on Tuesday. The Interventional Radiology physician that performed the procedure said it went perfect. I had a lot of bruising where they performed the mapping procedure last week, so they used the other side of my lower abdomen for the radiation procedure.

I did not have chemo yesterday because the radiation procedure is enough for my liver to deal with. I would guess that they will put me back on chemo next round. I assume my blood counts and liver enzymes may impact that decision.

And then we get an MRI one month from now (mid June) and see how my CEA and ctDNA changes. They mentioned my CEA may have a transient spike after the Y90, but the team is hoping this treatment will get my biomarker into a more favorable place to help them feel confident that the CEA increases I have experienced recently were coming from that liver mass that was treated (and not somewhere else).

Side effects from Y90 on Tuesday was rough, but a bit better the last couple days. “Better” is taking a 10 minute walk and not feeling like you are going to barf. Or making your husband put his big paw on your head to try and help with a blinding migraine (it’s weird, but pressure helps with migraines) Turns out the super power that I got from Y90 Radiation was “Super Fatigue”, lol. But seems to be getting better day by day. I had blood work today and my white cells were up to a normal level, but my red blood cells were low and liver enzymes were high. I’m sure that has a part in the way I feel. If you’ve got one, hug your healthy body every.day.people.

That’s what I’ve got for now 🙂

05/08/2026

I am scheduled on Monday in Chicago for a mapping planning procedure that will help Northwestern’s Interventional radiology team look at my liver’s vascular system to make sure that any radiation that they deliver for the Y90 procedure goes to the right lobe of my liver only (vs escaping to my lungs or other abdominal organs - which would be bad). They do this by inserting tiny biological beads into a blood vessel starting in my lower abdomen that flow through a catheter to my liver and then watching where these beads go.

Assuming this goes well, they will feel more confident that the nuclear medicine will go to the right place in my body. They’ve told me that the radiation procedure is tentatively scheduled for 5/25. Which may or may not change depending on the outcome of the planning meeting. Who needs a Memorial Day barbecue when you could spend it getting nuked in a hospital instead!? Don’t be jealous ya’ll. I pretty much think of the radiation as mutagen from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. So hopefully by the end of the procedure I will turn into Michelangelo 🐢💪

In other care, I received a reduce dose of systemic chemo this week because my blood counts were unfavorable. I have been through 25 rounds of chemo with 1 2 week break and a break for the HAI surgery and that’s about it. We debated about this reduced dose a bit with my STL Onc and we did one chemo just for some coverage, but he thought my blood counts needed to recover a bit ahead of Monday’s mapping procedures. What chemo looks like for the next couple of months feels confusing, but I am sure we will get more information about it soon.

I’ve been informed that we are in a very positive situation in terms of available donors. I cannot thank everyone enough who made the trip to Chicago for testing and considered this. I know we are not there quite yet, but having people care enough about your life to literally give a part of themselves to you - there is little that I can think of that’s a higher calling.

I am so thankful for the Northwestern team that is putting everything into helping us. I pray God helps us through these last steps to get to a summer month in Chicago recovering after surgery and moving forward❤️

I put some pictures/videos in from the last week that brought joy.

04/29/2026

End of April Update

On Thursday last week, I spoke with Dr. Dietch at Northwestern about my MRI and CT results. There was noted growth in my largest tumor since my last MRI in late January. My CEA was also 122 this past week. Based on these pieces of information, the team has recommended a repeat PET scan, which I am doing tomorrow in St. Louis. This is another challenging piece of information to process.

The PET has to show continued liver disease isolation. Assuming we get the PET result we need by early next week, I will go to Northwestern to have a Y90 procedure on the right lobe of my liver to zap the large tumor with radiation in the next few weeks.

My liver chemo seems to no longer be providing much benefit. I started the liver chemo at 200 mgs of medicine 8 months ago. In the last 3 months I am down to 13 mgs of the medicine per treatment, because my Alkaline Phosphatase readings have been too high. Northwestern oncology reviewed my liver chemo dosing and is not recommending any changes to the liver chemo right now. They won’t push it on dosing because if my liver’s biliary tree is damaged it’s not reversible and there are negative downstream impacts to liver function.

We have had brave souls head to Northwestern for donor evaluations, for which I am incredibly grateful.

The PET result and hopefully ensuing radiation procedure have to bring the cancer back into control to continue as a transplant candidate. Advanced Cancer treatment is in no way a linear process. Please pray for us.

Thanks,

Lauren

04/11/2026

Quick update. I have an MRI and CT scan scheduled this coming Thursday the 16th. These results need to show cancer stability/no spread. Appreciate prayers and good vibes on that front. My CEA cancer biomarker results ticked up 2 chemos ago, but my most recent was down some. There are many factors that affect that number.

I have concerns about my chemo management. I have a liver pump that delivers focused chemo to my liver only. I also have to have full body systemic chemo. I have had the liver pump since last August, and they have been able to reduce my full body chemo dose down some which results in less full body side effects. I have a liver enzyme (alkaline phosphatate) that has continued to read high, that according to my local oncology team protocol requires then to reduce my liver chemo dose. So now I am on a very low dose of liver chemo and a low dose of systemic chemo. They increased my systemic chemo this past Tuesday with a higher dose of olaxiplatin (AKA foot neuropathy nightmare). My STL oncologist was like we are getting to the end of our ability to use your liver pump. This makes me CRAZY because only one liver enzyme was off. My AST, ALT, and bilirubin were all ok. Especially since we are finally on the transplant path with another institution! I understand all these readings are intertwined, but I’ve called Northwestern to see if their oncology team would consider pushing my liver some by continuing to administer some level of the liver chemo to keep this cancer wrangled as we continue to search for a donor fit (especially since the goal is to take my whole liver out anyways). I am on third line chemo. There aren’t many lines left.

I know of a handful of kind souls that are going to Chicago for evaluation in the next few weeks, which I am SO grateful for. We’ve had one evaluation in Chicago since I was listed early March and unfortunately was not a match.

I am aware that lots of folks have received emails from NW after they completed the questionnaire. I am sending a plea to please call them to get scheduled if you have any interest in becoming a donor (vs waiting for their call). I just have no idea how much time I have with cancer stability considering the noted chemo challenges.

Here is the contact info: Rasean Terry at 312-695-3637. Lori Clark is at 312-695-0998.

Thanks for sticking with me through this journey.

Lauren

04/02/2026

I probably don’t post as much as I should for a gal looking for a half a liver 😁 but I thought that I would post a gratitude update.

I’ll admit that since I stopped working and went into treatment last March, there have been days when loneliness and fear go into overdrive. My life was so busy with a demanding job, kids activities, and general adulting where I barely had any time to think to FULL STOP grueling treatment, survival mode, and LOTS of time to think 🤯. I started journaling after a while because brain fog was kicking in and I felt like I needed a wider perspective than the day to day.

Yesterday I finished March’s thoughts and as I look back at the month, it is bonkers by how many OUTSTANDING people surround us. This month, I connected with a friend I had not seen since college, went on numerous walks, shared meals, had updates and check ins and laughs with high school, college, and sports friends. A friend and family came to visit for chemo and we started the track and baseball seasons with the fun FZW parents. Spent lots of time with my parents, calls and texts with my brothers and sis in law, Aunt and Uncle, cousins, and managed to make it to a Cardinals game and MOBOT to see all the tulips.

Cancer and chronic illness suck and can feel so lonely at moments. But when I step back and look at all these connection points in March alone - you are anything BUT alone. Every moment spent with others is a gift of hope to keep you moving forward. How can you not, when SO many people care?

I thank every person that has spent a moment (or many moments!) of time with us this month and every month since this crazy train began. We have this Big Hope for the transplant process and we pray every day that my cancer stays stable so that we can get to a cancer free place through transplant. So many people have come forward looking to help if they can. I know Northwestern is working through so many questionnaires that have been completed. We will keep moving forward - hand in hand - with each one of you OUTSTANDING folks ❤️. A few little pictures from the last half of the month with my little crew.

03/19/2026

Transplant update - Talked to my Donor Champion today at Northwestern and he told me that a significant amount of folks had filled out the questionnaire. Want to express sincere thanks to everyone who has completed the form! The Northwestern team is still working through all the questionnaires. If they call or contact you, just wanted to give a little idea of what to expect as a next step if you haven’t talked to them yet.

A transplant evaluation has to take place in Chicago for donor candidates. These are only done on Mondays. They do the testing there because they want you to meet the transplant team. Its about a 7am to 5pm day. You would have an informational orientation and then private meetings with the medical team (hepatology, social work, physical therapy, transplant nursing team). Assuming those meetings all go ok, they would do an MRI, CT Scan, EKG, and blood tests. These tests are required to provide the necessary information for the medical team to determine if we match. My insurance covers all the medical expense for potential donors.

Northwestern is located on the Magnificent Mile. The hospital is closer to the lake side and there are tons of walkable shopping and tasty restaurants. The river, Lake Michigan, and all kinds of sight seeing are in close proximity. There are a wide range of hotels that are easy walking distance to Northwestern’s Arkes Pavilion which is where most of the meetings/testing takes place. Me and Donny had a little fun while we were there a few weeks ago. Pics attached.

Just wanted to help understand part of the process. The Monday evaluation is the required first concrete step in making progress towards identifying true donor match candidates. I’m so thankful for everyone’s consideration. I am so thankful to Northwestern for this opportunity because the impact to our family’s life would be immeasurable. It’s hard for me to ask for help, but a Stage 4 diagnosis is beyond what the Brown crew can handle on our own. Thanks for your time and please reach out if you have questions! I can’t guarantee that I can answer them, but I can certainly reach out to resources to try! If we make it further down the line in this process, we will look at ways to fund travel expenses and time off for potential donors. But that’s step 25 and we are on step 2. Hope everyone enjoys the warm weather over the next few days!

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03/17/2026

03/12/2026

Praying this can be me.

A woman with cancer that spread to her liver is getting a second chance at life after receiving an organ transplant from a living donor.

03/10/2026

Sharing a video by Northwestern that gives detail on living liver donor transplant. The first half talks about donor screening steps after questionnaire completion.

I know the team is working to reach out to donor candidates that have completed the questionnaire (in case you are one of them!)

I am blood type B. So I can receive from B or O blood types. Thanks for your consideration!

https://youtu.be/LMWilDycINA?si=KrTF95A0YtC-uox-on

This video gives an overview of living-donor liver transplantation. During a living-donor liver transplant, a surgeon removes part of a healthy adult’s liver...

03/02/2026

Sharing the high level requirements provided by Northwestern for donation. Rasean Terry is my super helpful Donation Champion at Northwestern! His contact info is provided on the page if you have general questions. Thanks to everyone for spreading the word. Let’s go!