THE BACHELORETTE star Katie Thurston has revealed she’s been diagnosed with breast cancer at the age 34.
The TV personality, who got engaged to comedian Jeff Arcuri just last September, took to social media with the sad news.
Sharing a health update, Katie admitted she was “ready to fight” as she undergoes further testing and treatment.
The reality star wrote: “Life update: I have breast cancer. Yesterday I saw all the couples post their Valentine’s Day celebrations. I felt envious if I’m being honest.
“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.”
The TV star said she was using the next few months to organise her life around various appointments.
“I used my morning to figure out insurance for NYC and laws on pre-existing conditions.
“I scheduled appointments for another biopsy, fertility, mental health, surgery, as well as meeting with my team to discuss the overall treatment plan, which will include chemo.”
Katie first discovered a “small lump” on her breast and initially put it down to her period or muscle tenderness from exercising.
But when the lump failed to resolve on its own, Katie visited a doctor and was given the shock news after a series of tests.
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Katie will now have to undergo chemotherapy and a mastectomy in the coming months.
As a result of the chemotherapy, Katie said she will be “preserving her eggs” in fear it will affect her chances of fertility.
She went on to say: “I experienced a range of emotions over the past two weeks. Despair. Anger. Sadness. Denial. And then strength. Purposeful. Ready. I cried a lot.
“I tried to even make a video instead of this post and couldn’t,’ she said.
“But one thing I did early on was search other stories like mine. Other young women with breast cancer. Invasive ductal carcinoma. Mastectomy.
“Pregnancy after breast cancer. All of their stories helped. So I intend to be the same for others. This is day one of sharing and is going to be a long one.
“This first step of acceptance of my reality was the hardest. But I am ready to fight this.”
Katie also praised her fiance Jeff for his support and added: “I don’t know how I’d do this without you.
“The selfless love that you smother me in is beyond anything I imagined I’d be blessed with. I love you to the fullest in this lifetime and the next.”
She shot to fame as a contestant on season 25 of The Bachelor, and as the star of season 17 of The Bachelorette.
