Katie Thurston, former Bachelorette lead and beloved television personality, is navigating one of the most challenging journeys of her life—battling stage 4 breast cancer. The 34-year-old, known for her candid demeanour and emotional openness, recently took to Instagram to shed light on one of the lesser-discussed aspects of her treatment: medically induced menopause.
In a video shared with fans on May 6, Thurston gave a glimpse into her day-to-day struggles, including insomnia and intense hot flashes—side effects triggered by hormone-suppressing medication. “Slept like s*** because I’m now in medically induced menopause,” she admitted in the clip. “Tonight I have to be social, so I figured I would ease into that by being social with you guys during the day.”
The Fight Against Dehydration and Fatigue
Her raw video wasn’t just about venting—it was an attempt to normalise the deeply uncomfortable and exhausting effects of cancer treatment. As she prepared for the day, Thurston revealed that her medication had left her severely dehydrated.
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Filling a glass of water “to the brim” and adding electrolytes, she explained, “My lips have been chapped for what feels like two weeks straight. It’s this game of catch-up, trying to make sure I get enough water. I was already bad at drinking enough before medication, and now it’s a true task every day.” She later captioned the story with unfiltered honesty: “Tired AF from menopause and dehydration AF from medication.”
Stage 4 Diagnosis, But Holding On to Hope
Thurston first announced her breast cancer diagnosis in February and has since used her platform to be transparent about her condition and treatments. Speaking on the “Uncomfortable Conversations” podcast in April, she revealed the emotional weight of hearing a stage 4 diagnosis and learning that the disease had spread to her liver.
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“Usually you hear stage 4, you hear that it’s spread to the liver, and I think automatically people think you have a short time to live,” she said. “That might be true for some, but I’m trying to be very optimistic. Not once has my doctor made it sound like that’s the case for me.” Katie emphasised that the medications she’s on—Letrozole, Kisqali, and Zoladex—have been effective in many similar cases. Chemotherapy, though discussed, has currently been placed on pause, with her doctors choosing to pursue a different route for now.
Balancing a Personal Life Amidst Chaos
Despite the overwhelming nature of her health condition, Thurston has found room for love and life’s joyful moments. In a surprise revelation, it was confirmed that she recently married comedian Jeff Arcuri. However, even amid the happiness of tying the knot, she faced the sobering news of multiple cancerous spots found on her liver.
Now on hormone therapy and monthly check-ups, Thurston is committed to closely monitoring her treatment’s effectiveness. “I’ll be going in monthly to check my heart and do blood draws. My first scan is three months from now,” she shared with fans.
Bottomline
Thurston’s openness about the toll of cancer treatments—including medically induced menopause—has created a platform for broader conversations around women’s health, hormone therapy, and emotional well-being during chronic illness.
As she continues her journey, Katie Thurston is not just fighting cancer—she’s reshaping how we talk about it. Her voice serves as both a beacon of resilience and a reminder that vulnerability is a form of strength.