Katie Thurston Feels “Helpless” Over Fake Death Rumors Amid Cancer

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Katie Thurston is alive, despite what you may have read online.

After publicly sharing that her breast cancer had advanced to stage four and spread to her liver five months ago, the reality TV star expressed her annoyance with inaccurate reports claiming she had passed away.

Katie shared a tearful video on her Instagram Story on September 26th, explaining that an article she’d seen before was particularly upsetting to her this time. She said it brought up difficult feelings and that she’d tried to report it, but felt powerless to do anything about it.

She added, “I just feel helpless. I’m so mad right now.”

I was so shocked to learn about this! I’m trying to disconnect from social media a bit, but I started getting tons of messages – from people I haven’t talked to in ages – asking if I was alright. That’s how I found out someone was spreading a hoax about me. It’s been really upsetting, especially since I just got married to Jeff Arcuri back in March and was hoping for some peace!

Katie asked anyone at Facebook with ideas to please share them with her.

The next day, the star of *The Bachelorette* turned her disappointment into a joke while filming a commercial for a coffin company, playfully saying she was “up here relaxing with God.”

Okay, so this is a little strange, but I recently saw a video where a woman announced her own death… through Facebook! Apparently, Facebook notified her friends and family that she had passed away, and she playfully acknowledged it in a video message. It’s a really interesting example of how social media is now handling end-of-life notifications, and honestly, a little bit surreal to see it play out like that. It just shows how integrated these platforms are in our lives, even after we’re gone.

I wanted to share a little message from where I am now – things are wonderful! Honestly, life is just great on this side. I’m sending you all my best and letting you know everything is peaceful and happy.

Katie has openly shared her experiences with breast cancer, including honestly discussing the false reports about her passing. This summer, she specifically described one of the challenging side effects of her treatment.

In a recent Instagram video, she shared that she’s been experiencing memory loss. She recalled a moment at customs where an officer asked where she was traveling from, and she realized she couldn’t remember.

Despite the negative side effects, though, Katie shared a positive update in July.

She shared on Instagram that her latest scans showed the tumors are getting smaller! She called it wonderful news and said she feels incredibly relieved.

Read on for what else Katie has said about her battle with breast cancer. 

In the summer of 2024, Katie Thurston found a small lump in her breast and became worried. She initially dismissed it, thinking it might be related to her menstrual cycle or muscle soreness from exercise. Katie had a non-cancerous cyst removed from the same breast when she was 20, so she assumed this new lump was similar. However, when it didn’t disappear, she decided to see a doctor. She shared on Instagram in February 2025 that she’d hoped it was nothing, but unfortunately, she was mistaken.

Katie visited a specialist for a breast ultrasound after a referral from her doctor. This was followed by a mammogram and then a biopsy. She shared in a video on Instagram on March 18, 2025, that only after these tests could doctors confirm if she had cancer, and she remembers the moment she received the news vividly.

Speaking on *Good Morning America* on March 19, 2025, Katie described it as “the worst feeling” she’d ever experienced, adding that as a 34-year-old, she wasn’t prepared for such news, especially since there was no history of breast cancer in her family.

Katie first told her followers about her stage 3 diagnosis on February 15, 2025. In an Instagram post, she described the rollercoaster of emotions she experienced – despair, anger, sadness, and denial – before finding strength and a sense of purpose. She admitted to crying a lot.

She plans to share her journey openly, hoping to help others facing similar challenges. Katie explained that she had searched for stories from young women with breast cancer – specifically invasive ductal carcinoma, experiences with mastectomies, and navigating pregnancy after cancer – and found them incredibly helpful. She wants to provide the same support for others, acknowledging that accepting her reality was the hardest part, but she is now ready to fight.

Katie received her diagnosis just five months after getting engaged to comedian Jeff Arcuri, whom she met on Instagram in the spring of 2024. She shared with *GMA* that they had been planning a wedding and starting a family, but now their focus is on her treatment and recovery.

To protect her future fertility during cancer treatment, Katie and Jeff underwent IVF. They retrieved 17 eggs, but only 6 were successfully fertilized. After further testing, they were able to freeze two embryos. Katie shared this process on Instagram, explaining the realities of IVF.

She also mentioned considering surrogacy in the future, emphasizing that their priority is her health. She asked people to avoid judging celebrities who choose surrogacy, as they may be facing private health challenges. Despite their desire for a family, Katie and Jeff are also content with the possibility of remaining a childless couple.

Katie and Jeff decided to get married on March 22, 2025, in New York, after Katie moved across the country to be with him following months of a long-distance relationship. They had a small, intimate ceremony in their apartment’s backyard with their parents, an officiant, and their new dog, Charlie.

Katie shared with *Us Weekly* that the decision came about because of Jeff’s unwavering support during a difficult time with her health. She explained that Jeff wanted to reaffirm his love and commitment, saying he wanted to marry her right away. While they plan to have a larger wedding in the future, this gesture proved Jeff would be there for her through thick and thin.

Jeff also had a practical reason for wanting to get married immediately. He told the magazine he wanted the ability to be recognized as her husband when she was in the hospital, feeling it would give him more power and allow him to be fully present for her during her health journey. He didn’t want to be apart from her for any of it.

Just days after Jeff and Katie got married, Katie revealed that a scan showed signs of cancer in her liver, and it had progressed to stage 4. In a video posted on March 28, 2025, she acknowledged that a stage 4 diagnosis can be frightening, but she expressed optimism about her prognosis, noting the spots on her liver were small and found early, and she has a specific type of cancer that responds well to treatment.

As one of Katie’s biggest supporters, I’ve been following her journey closely since her stage 4 diagnosis. She recently shared an update on her treatment, and it’s been quite a rollercoaster. Initially, the plan was six rounds of chemotherapy, as the cancer in her liver stemmed from her breast cancer. She was *so* prepared to start – she even had a cold cap, snacks, and her aunt Lindsey flew in to help her recover. But then, just before her first session, everything changed. The latest pathology results showed she’s HER2 negative, even though earlier tests said she was positive! It was a huge shock. Now, chemo seems to be off the table, which *should* be good news, but honestly, it’s unsettling. In just two months, her diagnosis has changed three times. Katie believes getting thorough testing and a second opinion have been crucial in understanding her cancer, and I completely agree. It’s amazing how proactive she is, and I’m sending all my support her way.

Katie is facing her cancer diagnosis with courage, taking each day as it comes. In a recent post, she admitted to moments of frustration, questioning what her life has become. However, she’s determined to make the most of her situation, even acknowledging the irony of being told to ‘live like you’re dying’ while actually facing a life-threatening illness. She reflects that we’re all moving towards the same end, and finds gratitude in simply having today. Despite the sadness she sometimes feels, Katie is committed to cherishing every moment, with or without cancer. She also shared an important message with her followers: don’t delay – be proactive about your health and get regular checkups. It could save your life.

Nearly two months in treatment, Katie shared another new reality. 

In an Instagram post from June 1, 2025, she revealed she’s been having memory problems. She described a recent experience at customs where an officer asked where she was traveling from, and she realized she couldn’t recall.

She mentioned having a small argument with her husband, though she couldn’t recall exactly what it was about.

You know, when something feels *off*, you really trust your gut. I remember telling my husband, Jeff, that this situation felt familiar, like we’d been here before. He asked me when, and honestly, I couldn’t pinpoint a specific time, but I just *knew* it had happened before. It’s that feeling of déjà vu, and sometimes, that’s all the information you need to start figuring things out.

She said they can look back and laugh now, but cancer is awful. She swings between telling herself to stop feeling sorry for herself and acknowledging that it’s okay to feel down – cancer really is terrible.

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2025-09-28 01:17