In a heartfelt announcement shared on social media, former “Bachelorette” star Katie Thurston revealed that her breast cancer has progressed to stage four. This distressing news comes as doctors confirmed that the cancer has spread to her liver, marking a significant turn in her health journey. “After days of waiting, unfortunately, I did find out today that my breast cancer has spread to the liver,” Thurston shared in an emotional Instagram post on Friday. “It is fairly small, however it does put me at stage four.”
At just 34 years old, Thurston is preparing to embark on a “new treatment plan,” which includes starting chemotherapy on April 4. “I know stage four can sound very scary, and it can be,” she acknowledged in her post. Despite the daunting prognosis, the ABC alum expressed a sense of hope, stating she is “very optimistic” about her treatment outcomes. Notably, she is classified as “triple positive,” and the cancerous spots identified on her liver are described as “fairly small and detected early,” which is a positive sign in her battle against the disease.
Earlier this week, Thurston informed her followers of her recent medical developments, including a scheduled liver biopsy following a PET scan ordered by her doctors in New York. This imaging test is crucial as it helps detect signs of cancer in various organs and tissues. “Unfortunately in my case, it did detect some spots on my liver that were a little suspicious,” she explained via her Instagram Stories, as reported by Us Weekly. After relocating from Los Angeles, Thurston opted to transfer her medical care to New York City, where she continues to receive treatment.
Thurston's journey with breast cancer began in February when she was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer, just after celebrating Valentine’s Day with her now-husband, Jeff Arcuri. “Jeff took me to Hawaii and after, we were going to travel the world before planting roots together in NYC finally. But instead, my Vday was spent coordinating a place to live as I have to go back to LA for more testing and treatment,” she recounted on Instagram at the time. The emotional toll of her diagnosis led her to experience a whirlwind of feelings, including “despair, anger, sadness, denial, and then strength.”
In a poignant turn of events, Thurston married Arcuri earlier this month in a private ceremony held in their New York City backyard, attended solely by their parents. Reflecting on their quick wedding plans amidst her health struggles, she shared with Us Weekly, “Obviously, we were wanting to plan a wedding, and there’s a lot of emotions that come in with chemo and the impact and the health, and we don’t know what the next year looks like.”
As Katie Thurston continues to navigate her cancer treatment and personal life, her story serves as a testament to resilience and hope in the face of overwhelming challenges.
