Katie Thurston Gets Candid About the Emotional Toll of Her Breast Cancer Battle
A visibly moved Katie Thurston shared insights into her emotional well-being while undergoing cancer treatment.
On Tuesday, September 30, the 34-year-old former Bachelorette teared up on her Instagram Stories, confiding in her followers about her struggle to cope since her breast cancer diagnosis in February.
"With Breast Cancer Awareness Month starting tomorrow, I’m honestly feeling completely overwhelmed," Thurston admitted in the video. "I’m not sure what I’m articulating, everyone. I simply want to be completely transparent. While I might appear upbeat at times, maintaining a positive outlook is incredibly challenging.”
Thurston, who gained prominence as a contestant vying for Matt James’ heart on The Bachelor in 2021, clarified that her battle with breast cancer has been full of unforeseen twists.
Former ‘Bachelorette’ Katie Thurston Provides Latest on Breast Cancer Battle
She shared in the clip, “I had genuinely anticipated the end of the year would mark my last significant effort, after which everything would be straightforward.” The expectation was that treatment would be effective, and conditions favorable. “Instead, my liver is suffering, I’m reducing my medication dosage, and I’ve had to delay my surgery, a development I haven’t even discussed publicly yet.” (Thurston had previously mentioned in a September 19 Instagram update that a double mastectomy was planned “for November.”)
Though Thurston refrained from detailing her surgical arrangements, she affirmed that her “upcoming scans” are scheduled for two weeks from now, conveniently aligning with a period of anticipated family visits.
Thurston noted, “My mother and niece are arriving for that, which will be helpful, especially since Jeff [Arcuri] is away, creating an additional challenge,” indicating her husband, who is presently on tour in Australia.
During Her Cancer Fight, Katie Thurston Experiences ‘Moments’ of Feeling as Though She Is Perishing
The TV personality, recognized as the season 17 Bachelorette in 2021, maintained remarkable openness on social media this past week, including a tearful message on Friday, September 26, addressing online rumors concerning her death. These rumors originated from a fabricated obituary for Thurston that had been circulating across the internet.
Through Friday’s Instagram Story, Thurston expressed, “I genuinely intended to step back from social media, but then I started receiving messages from individuals I don’t usually communicate with.” She continued, “Subsequently, I received direct messages, with everyone asking, ‘Are you alright?’”
“While I’ve encountered this sort of article previously, something about this evening truly infuriates me. It’s deeply upsetting, and despite my attempts to flag it, there seems to be no action I can take, leaving me feeling powerless. I’m profoundly angry at this moment. If anyone employed at Facebook or with any advice on how I can proceed, please inform me.”
The Reason Katie Thurston Experiences 'Reduced Fear' Regarding Her Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Thurston disclosed in February that her breast cancer diagnosis followed the discovery of a small abnormality. “I found it myself. I initially considered it might be related to my menstrual cycle or perhaps muscle strain from exercise,” she shared in a social media update. “However, over time, this lump persisted.”
A month later, Thurston and Arcuri, 37, exchanged vows, a detail exclusively verified by Us Weekly shortly after their March 22 wedding. Subsequently, Thurston’s cancer was found to have metastasized to her liver, resulting in a stage IV diagnosis.
