MTV’s reality show celebrity Diem Brown survived ovarian cancer twice, but got diagnosed of colon cancer this time around after collapsing during a shoot abroad.
Brown, 32, who was filming abroad for a new reality show, was airlifted to New York City (NYC) and went through emergency surgery on Sunday.
"Doctors found one tumor blocking her colon completely so they had to do emergency surgery that evening to remove the blockage," her sister Megan said.
Brown’s sister added that the doctors removed the mass but only to find out there were other multiple tumors.
Three days later, Brown went through a second emergency surgery after complications from the first operation resulted to an abdominal infection.
She is now in a stable condition at the Intensive Care Unit of a hospital in NYC but is being monitored closely by her doctors and expected to remain at the hospital for around two weeks.
"This time around has been the scariest build up towards my cancer journey," said Brown in an exclusive statement to E! News as relayed by her sister. "Both mentally, physically and emotionally the most traumatic. I've been needing some hope to fight for, some light to look forward to at the end of this journey. I find that strength in my family, friends and fans. People I've never met believe in me, I can't let them down! I won't.”
Megan said they’re hoping that her sister, who is twice a cancer survivor, would be well enough again to begin her chemotherapy in the few weeks to come.
Recall that Brown’s ovarian cancer was diagnosed when she was 23. She underwent operation to remove one ovary, a part of her fallopian tube and some lymph nodes. Her ovarian cancer came back around 2012, and even shared in a blog for People.com her journey towards battling the disease.
She debuted on television in 2006 for MTV’s “Real World/Road Rules Challenge: Fresh Meat” show. She even bravely showed to the public her fight against cancer after removing her wig while in front of the camera competing for “The Duel.” Tough as she is, weeks after undergoing second chemotherapy she went on to compete for “Rivals II.”
Besides a celebrity, Brown has also been helping other people suffering from health problems through the MedGift website, a fundraising project which aims to extend financial support to sick patients struggling with medical bills. Her family has also set up a page for her on said site.
