Former Bachelorette star Katie Thurston has called out a former contestant from her season after he left a derogatory comment on her wedding photos, all while she continues to face stage 4 breast cancer with remarkable strength and candour.
On Wednesday, August 6, Thurston shared an Instagram Story screenshot of a comment from Cody Menk, who appeared briefly on her 2021 season before being eliminated in week two. Under a photo of Thurston and her husband, comedian Jeff Arcuri, on their wedding day, Menk wrote:
“Good couple! Both solid 5s 😂”
Thurston censored Menk’s name in her post but fired back with a sharp response:
“Remember this guy from my season? Me either. But he’s still here lurking on my page. Thanks for being a fan.”
Menk’s short-lived run on The Bachelorette ended after a confrontation with fellow contestant Aaron Clancy and doubts from Thurston about his sincerity in pursuing a relationship.
Life Beyond Reality TV: Marriage and a Health Battle
Away from reality TV drama, Thurston’s life has been shaped by far more serious challenges. The 34-year-old recently moved up her wedding to Arcuri after being diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer earlier this year, a diagnosis that later revealed the disease had spread to her liver.
She has been candid about undergoing hormone-blocking therapy and other treatments, sharing her plans for a double mastectomy followed by breast augmentation once her treatment allows.
“We waited to see that the medicine is working. And it is,” Thurston told Kaitlyn Bristowe on the Off The Vine podcast. “So we’re gonna basically give it three more months, and then I can do a double mastectomy, get a boob job if I want… which is the route I’m gonna go.”
Despite her optimism, she admitted the emotional weight of losing her natural breasts after working hard to feel confident in her body.
A Husband’s Steadfast Support
Throughout her treatment, Arcuri has been, in Thurston’s words, her “rock.” She described how their relationship has strengthened under the strain of her diagnosis:
“Cancer can often break relationships apart, but he did the opposite, marrying me.”
In the uncertain early days after her diagnosis, Arcuri made it clear his priority was her health.
“At one point, he told me, ‘This year I’m just going to pay our rent. I want you to focus on your health,’” she shared.
His support has been both practical and emotional, a commitment Thurston says she’s “blessed” to have within arm’s reach.
An Inspiring Example
Thurston’s openness about her journey sheds light on the importance of emotional and practical support during a life-threatening illness. While studies from the National Cancer Institute show that serious diagnoses can strain relationships, her story is one of resilience and mutual devotion.
She continues to use her platform to raise awareness about advanced breast cancer, encourage early detection, and show that love can thrive even in life’s darkest moments.
“My hope for the future is that… I’ll be like, ‘Hey guys, there’s no evidence of disease,’” she said. “Even though technically, stage four is not curable… I’m very optimistic.”
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