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Katie Thurston shared a list on social media of “what people don’t see” about being a cancer patient
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The 34-year-old said what she deals with the most are brain fog and a lack of energy, which make her feel like she’s “deteriorating”
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She admitted that her stage 4 breast cancer journey is just beginning
Katie Thurston is getting candid about how she’s been feeling amid her stage 4 breast cancer journey, admitting that this is just the beginning.
On April 22, the Bachelorette star posted on her Boobie Broadcast channel and shared “what people don’t see” about being a cancer patient. The list included anxiety, medical trauma, brain fog, insomnia, depression, menopause, grief, infertility, loneliness, fear of dying and more.
Thurston, 34, said she “felt seen” after sharing the list, and explained that the two main symptoms she’s dealt with have been brain fog and a lack of energy.
“[Husband Jeff Arcuri] and I were playing Tetris the other day and he yelled, ‘Go right,’ and with full confidence I went left instead and was confused why he kept repeating the instructions,” she recalled. “It’s funny in the moment for us, but also internally, added to the list of things that make me feel like I’m deteriorating.
“I’m tired often and stopped fighting it,” she continued. “Just sleep when I need it. Allowing myself the physical and mental recovery of everything.”
Related: Katie Thurston Says Her Breast Cancer Diagnosis Has Changed After Second Opinion: ‘No Chemo’ for Now
Katie Thurston/Instagram
Katie Thurston and husband Jeff Arcuri
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“I still have the remaining bandages on my left breast from my port removal. Remembering how close I was to almost starting chemo,” she continued. “To many who haven’t gone through cancer, they don’t realize my experience is only beginning. That first scan I’ll have in three months to see if my meds are working. My consultation with my radiologist still. Surgery. Etc.”
Last week, Thurston appeared on Uncomfortable Conversations with Emmanuel Acho and broke down in tears discussing the “hardest part” about her breast cancer diagnosis, which she first announced in February.
“I think being alone is the hardest, if I had to pick something,” she admitted. “And that’s why I’m so thankful just to have this online community. Jeff travels a lot for work, so he’s actually gone for the next couple days. And soon this summer, he’ll be gone internationally.”
Related: Katie Thurston Says She ‘Sobbed’ While in Her ‘Chemo Class’ for Stage 4 Breast Cancer: ‘WTF Is My Life’
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Katie Thurston
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Thurston said she “can’t imagine how people do this alone,” adding that there’s something special about getting support from others, especially from those who have been in her exact shoes.
“It’s one thing to hear support from you, and it’s so great and I am appreciative,” the reality star told Acho. “But to hear from another cancer survivor like, ‘I was on that exact regimen 15 years ago’ — that gives me the biggest hope at the end of the day.”
Thurston then started crying as Acho asked if hope is what she needs at the moment. She immediately replied yes.
“I think you have to have a reason to live. I think you have to have something that makes you want to see tomorrow,” she said. “And I think without hope, you don’t have that opportunity.”
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