bachelorette-alum-katie-thurston-in-survival-mode-stage-3-cancer-battle

Katie Thurston, a familiar face for fans of The Bachelorette, is currently battling Stage 3 triple-positive ductal carcinoma, a form of breast cancer, and has described her experience as being in "survival mode."

During an appearance on Good Morning America, Thurston shared her raw reality of living with the diagnosis since February. "You show up or you die," she stated bluntly, emphasizing the daily grind of appointments and treatments. It's a hard truth, but it encapsulates the relentless nature of fighting cancer.

Thurston admitted she initially delayed medical care after discovering a lump, urging others not to make the same mistake. "When I felt my lump, it was sore," she said. "We’re so used to brushing things off, blaming our period or a workout. I finally decided to go to the doctor, and thank goodness I did."

The treatment plan involves shrinking the tumor with chemotherapy before surgical removal. Reflecting on the moment she learned of her diagnosis, Thurston confessed, "It was like the worst feeling ever felt. You’re just devastated, shocked. As a 34-year-old woman, you’re not prepared for this."

Life hasn't been all smooth sailing for Thurston. After her engagement to Blake Moynes from Season 17 of The Bachelorette ended in October 2021, she found love again with comedian Jeff Arcuri. They got engaged months before her diagnosis, planning for a wedding and a family. But cancer has changed those plans significantly. "We thought we’d be trying for a baby," she shared, "but now this year is dedicated to treatment and getting better."

Thurston and Arcuri are also taking proactive steps for their future, including family planning options like IVF. Still, she’s pragmatic about the possibility of a childless future, saying, "We’re OK being a childless couple if that’s how things turn out."

Despite the challenges, Thurston is holding onto hope and looking forward to planning a wedding with Arcuri when her health improves. "Celebrating the beauty of life," she says, is what keeps her going during this tough chapter.