Katie Thurston is preparing for her next chapter.
The former Bachelorette, 34, is set to undergo a double mastectomy on April 29 after previously revealing her stage 4 breast cancer diagnosis, which she said had spread to her liver.
Just days before the procedure, Thurston shared a new update—one centered on support.
Katie Thurston Gets the ‘Big Hug I Needed’ Before Double Mastectomy
GettyIn an April 22 Instagram post, Thurston reflected on a recent moment with her recreational volleyball team that came just ahead of her surgery.
“Tonight was my last volleyball game before surgery,” she wrote, adding that her teammates surprised her by wearing pink shirts, the primary color for breast cancer awareness. “I tried not to cry but the love and support from these people tonight really was the big hug I needed.”
Thurston shared a photo with her team on the volleyball court, along with a friendship bracelet reading “(expletive) cancer,” marking the occasion.
She said the sport has long been a constant in her life.
“When I think of my double mastectomy, I don’t think of my changing appearance but instead my love for volleyball,” Thurston wrote. “I’ve played since I was 11 years old and never stopped.
“It has allowed me to easily meet people in every city I live in. I love the game, I love the people, and I look forward to my first serve back on the court.”
Katie Thurston Continues to Open Up About Breast Cancer Diagnosis
The former Bachelorette has documented the lead-up to her surgery in recent weeks, sharing details about her treatment and decision-making process.
“So it’s been a little over a year since being diagnosed with breast cancer. I’m finally going to have my surgery,” Thurston said in a video shared to Instagram in late March. “I have opted for a double mastectomy, and I’ve been approved to have a double mastectomy.”
Thurston added that the cancer spread to her liver, but it cleared up quickly after treatment.
She added that she plans to move forward with reconstruction immediately following the procedure.
“So that is what I decided to do. I’m going straight to implant,” she said in the video.
She emphasized the importance of working with a trusted medical team.
“It’s important to find a team who supports you, who makes you feel informed, and allows you to make informed decisions,” Thurston said.
Surgery Prep Comes Amid Divorce Rumors With Husband
GettyThurston’s latest pre-surgery post comes as she recently responded to online speculation about her marriage to comedian Jeff Arcuri. The couple tied the knot in March 2025, moving the date up due to Thurston’s breast cancer diagnosis.
The topic even resurfaced in the comments of her surgery-related post, where one user wrote, “Thank God @jarcuri liked this post!”
The comment referenced a video Thurston shared on April 21, where she jokingly asked Arcuri about rumors they were splitting.
“I have a question: Are you divorcing me?” she said. “I noticed you haven’t been liking my posts. … The internet says you’re leaving me.”
GettyArcuri denied the claim in the video.
“I don’t look at Instagram. Are you serious?” he said. “I’ll go like them right now if you need to. I don’t like anything.”
Thurston explained the rumor came from “some random account” online.
The couple has continued to share updates together, including a recent post announcing they bought a house.
“Life update: @jarcuri and I bought a house!” Thurston wrote on April 22. “This is a huge project we will be documenting over the next year.”
