Katie Thurston, known for her time on “The Bachelor,” has recently shared a charming new hairstyle with her fans amid her ongoing battle with cancer. In an Instagram Story posted on June 15, the 34-year-old reality star introduced her playful “Tinker Bell” look, which she described as a way to manage her thinning hair.
Thurston, who revealed her stage three breast cancer diagnosis in February, candidly discussed the challenges she’s facing with her hair. “Today I wanted to try and do my hair and just never got around to it,” she explained in her video. “I blow dried it … but, honestly, I think I’m just going to, like, rock this Tinker Bell look for a while, you know?” The clip showed her playfully adjusting her new hairstyle while seated on a couch.
She went on to express her struggles with styling her hair as it has been thinning due to her treatment. “I’ve been struggling to style my hair since the thinning has started,” she admitted. “I ordered some clip-in extensions to test out. In the meantime, this messy Tinker Bell bun look ain’t so bad.”
Thurston has been open about her cancer journey, sharing her experiences and emotions with her followers. Just two weeks prior, she announced her intention to provide weekly updates on her treatment, stating, “I wanted to do weekly check-ins that are just like uncut, raw emotions of whatever comes to my mind.” In a previous video posted on June 1, she reflected on her treatment progress, saying, “I just finished my second month of treatment, and if you’re asking how long treatment is, technically forever.”
In her candid posts, she has also shared the realities of her treatment, including memory loss and hair loss. “Right now, after finishing two months of my medication, my hair is coming out in an unnatural amount of clumps,” she revealed. “I’m losing my memory. That’s great. Going through customs and them being like, ‘Where are you coming from?’ And I looked at him and I was like, ‘I don’t remember. I don’t remember.’”
Thurston’s journey took a heartbreaking turn when she announced that her cancer had spread to her liver, officially making it stage four. This devastating news was shared via an Instagram video shortly after her wedding to comedian Jeff Arcuri. “After days of waiting, unfortunately, I did find out today that my breast cancer has spread to the liver,” she said in a March 28 video. “It is fairly small; however, it does put me at stage four.”
Despite the gravity of her diagnosis, Thurston remains hopeful. “I know stage four can sound very scary, and it can be,” she acknowledged. “However, given that I am triple positive and the spots on my liver are fairly small and detected early, I feel very optimistic about my outcome.”
Thurston’s willingness to share her journey, including the ups and downs of her treatment, resonates with many fans who appreciate her authenticity and vulnerability during such a challenging time. As she continues to navigate her cancer journey, her supporters are rallying behind her, sending love and encouragement as she embraces her new look and fights for her health.
Katie Thurston’s story is a reminder of the strength and resilience that can emerge even in the face of daunting challenges. Her journey serves as an inspiration to many, proving that it’s possible to maintain a sense of humor and style, even amid adversity. Fans can continue to follow her updates on social media, where she shares both her triumphs and struggles, fostering a sense of community and support among those who admire her spirit.