Fans first met Snowbird “Bird” Brown more than 10 years ago when she made her debut on season 1 of Alaskan Bush People. During season 14 of the long-running series in 2022, the beloved cast member was rushed to the hospital and medical professionals discovered a large tumor. With the show still not confirming a return to TLC, fans are left wondering what happened to Bird since the medical scare.

What Happened to Snowbird From ‘Alaskan Bush People’?

After falling ill before a planned Alaska trip, Bird visited a hospital after feeling “severe abdominal pain.” Although she initially didn’t want to go through the process of getting blood drawn and medical tests, she admitted in a confessional that she was in so much pain that she ended up on the floor.

Following the doctor’s appointment, Bird learned that medical professionals found a very large cystic tumor that was taking up her entire abdomen with fluid all around it. Additionally, there was another hard mass that was pushing on her bladder that came from her ovaries.

Immediately following her diagnosis, Bird was rushed to surgery as the results could be cancerous.

What Happened to Snowbird Brown During Surgery?

TLC cameras didn’t document her surgery due to COVID-19 protocols, though her mom, Ami Brown, and sister Rain Brown stayed by her side throughout the procedure.

Rain explained that despite the surgery going well, her sister had a long and tough recovery ahead. Bird had two tumors on her ovaries, with one weighing 8 lbs. and the other weighing 4 lbs. The doctors were able to remove the tumors and leave the uterus and ovaries to give the TV personality a chance to have a baby naturally in the future.

Bird also learned she didn’t have cancer, but there was more than a 50 percent chance of cancer or the tumor returning in the future.

The only way to decrease her chances of her cancer returning was undergoing a full hysterectomy, which would prevent Bird from carrying babies in the future.

How Is Snowbird Brown Today?

More than a year later, Snowbird updated fans on her health in October 2023 via a post on Instagram. She told fans that she continues to have regular blood work done and tests to ensure the tumors do not return.

After noting she’s had laparoscopy and “a couple of biopsies” following the procedure because there was fluid in her scar tissue, Bird shared that the results were “good.” However, the doctors did “find something” and they’re “not sure what it is.”

“They thought I had endometriosis, but it turns out it was not endometriosis,” Bird shared.

In April 2024, Bird reported that the tumors hadn’t come back but doctors were still keeping a close eye on her. “I have some tests coming up just to make sure they haven’t come back,” she explained. “Then I have my six month appointment with my main doctor, that is in Seattle, the one that actually did the surgery.”

Although Snowbird doesn’t often share updates, she revealed she was starting a YouTube channel in 2025. “It’s gonna take me a little bit of time to learn the new platform and the editing of the videos … I have a couple I’m working on now,” she explained.