“RHOBH” star Teddi Mellencamp and “The Bachelorette” alum Katie Thurston sat down for a deep discussion about their respective cancer diagnoses.
Mellencamp invited Thurston to be a guest on the August 26 episode of her podcast “Two Ts in a Pod,” so they could share stories and insights about the health issues they’re both facing. Mellencamp, who was diagnosed with melanoma in 2022, revealed in April she had stage 4 cancer that spread to her brain and lungs.
In March, Thurston shared that her breast cancer had progressed as well. “Unfortunately I did find out today that my breast cancer has spread to the liver,” she explained in an Instagram video. “It is fairly small, however, that does put me at Stage 4.”
Mellencamp & Thurston Got Real About Their Love Lives
Despite the gravity of their health struggles, both Mellencamp and Thurston were able to find humor when discussing their sex lives amid cancer treatment. Thurston, who married comedian Jeff Arcuri in March, admitted, “To be honest, sorry, Jeff, I don’t know the last time we had sex right now.”
Both women laughed, and Mellencamp commiserated, explaining, “There’s times where I feel very sexual … there are times where I’m like I can’t even imagine going on a date right now.”
Thurston went into detail about how part of her treatment involves taking hormone-blocking medications. A side effect of this particular treatment is medically-induced menopause, which the reality star is trying her best to navigate.
“It’s like there’s just so much changes with my body, especially with menopause,” she shared. “Like things are not the same down there, and that’s something I’m still trying to figure out what to do.”
She added that her husband has been treating her with kid gloves as well. “And then of course [Jeff’s] very sensitive like, ‘I don’t want to hurt you,’” Thurston said.
Mellencamp & Thurston Shared Their Changing Views on Beauty
Both having been reality TV stars, Mellencamp and Thurston know what it’s like to be judged by their looks. But in the face of such dire health circumstances, both women expressed that their ideas about beauty have changed.
“It’s so beautiful to be alive versus like to be skinny or to be pretty,” Thurston said in an emotional moment. “I care less about cellulite or weight gain or whatever because every day I’m just happy to be here now.”
Mellencamp revealed that she’s “the hardest on myself” when it comes to her appearance, explaining that she has a difficult time watching herself without thinking, “oh my gosh, put a filter on that.”
However, it’s something that she’s trying to work through. “I have to have that conversation like, ‘Teddi, you’re there, you’re working, you’re doing the best that you can, you’re beautiful,’” Mellencamp said.
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