June 1, 2025 – Former Bachelorette star Katie Thurston offered a raw and emotional update on her ongoing battle with stage 4 cancer, revealing the toll her diagnosis and treatment have taken on her physically, mentally, and emotionally. The 34-year-old reality TV personality-turned-public advocate has been documenting her experience on Instagram, opening up about the challenges of living with a terminal illness.
“I wanted to keep a weekly journal of whatever emotions came to my mind, like a raw honest confession,” Thurston wrote in an Instagram Story update. “I just finished my second month of treatment, which, if you ask how long it lasts, technically is forever. I have faith in future medical advances. As a stage 4 cancer patient, I’m praying for the best.”
Hair Loss, Memory Fog, and Emotional Strain
Two months into her treatment, Thurston is now experiencing one of the most visible and emotionally jarring side effects of cancer therapy: hair loss.
“My hair is starting to fall out in clumps and in unusual amounts,” she shared. “I’m working on that.”
But it’s not just her appearance that’s changing. Thurston said she’s noticed declines in memory, a side effect that is often overlooked in cancer patients but no less debilitating.
“My memory is also starting to fail. Which is fine,” she added. “Going through customs, they ask, ‘Where are you from?’ I look at him and think, ‘I don’t remember. I don’t remember.’”
A Shocking Diagnosis and Complex Treatment Path
Thurston first revealed her diagnosis in a controversial social media post in February, sparking a wave of concern and support from fans. Follow-up tests confirmed that her cancer was stage 4 and had metastasized to her liver, significantly complicating treatment options.
In April, she received some relatively good news: her cancer was determined to be HER2-negative, meaning she would not need chemotherapy immediately. But as her condition evolved, so did her treatment plan.
One of the medications she has been taking may have induced early menopause, a distressing yet common side effect. However, when she got her period again, doctors suspected the treatment wasn’t working as intended.
As of June 1, Thurston shared that she will now begin a new treatment regimen with Lupron, a drug often used to suppress ovarian function in hormone-sensitive cancers.
“If that doesn’t work,” she wrote candidly, “I may need to have my ovaries removed.”
From Reality TV to Real Life Battles
Katie Thurston first appeared on season 25 of The Bachelor before being named the lead on season 17 of The Bachelorette. Known for her humor and authenticity, she quickly became a fan favorite. She got engaged to contestant Blake Moynes, but the two split shortly after their season aired.
Since then, Thurston has built a life outside the spotlight, recently marrying comedian Jeff Arcuri in March 2025. She now uses her platform not for romance, but for cancer awareness, emotional resilience, and community support.
A New Chapter in a Life Rewritten
Through her deeply personal updates, Thurston has become a voice for those navigating life with metastatic cancer—reminding her followers that strength doesn’t always look like positivity. Sometimes, it looks like honesty.
“Technically, it lasts forever,” she wrote about her treatment. “But I have faith. And I’m still here.”
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