Yahoo Lifestyle 
Bachelor star Megan Marx reveals shock diagnosis: 'S**t news'
The reality star revealed her mother, sister and grandfather have also been diagnosed.
Former Bachelor and Bachelor in Paradise star Megan Marx has surprised her followers after revealing she has been diagnosed with a rare neurological condition. The reality star shared the "s**t news", revealing she has spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA6), which is genetic and causes progressive problems with coordination and balance and speech.
Megan revealed her mother, sister, and grandfather have all been diagnosed with SCA6.
"Months of waiting for gene test results, I met with the neurologist on Friday," she wrote, revealing she attended the appointment with her partner Keith Newman. "S**t news. Diagnosis. Some tears while Keith took over the conversation. F*** huh!"
She continued, saying that despite the diagnosis she feels optimistic.
"Feeling grateful for my physical body right now, in its present state, before neurological degeneration attempts to take some of me from me. All the yays for lovemaking and skinny dipping and hiking and painting and food-ing and bad dancing and awful conversations at bars.
RELATED:
Konrad Bien-Stephen reveals truth about relationship with Megan Marx
The Challenge’s Konrad on leaked raunchy hot tub scene: ‘Had no idea’
"Actually feeling grateful altogether. Many have worse diagnoses. Just some processing to do. Lots of living to do."
Megan's friends and followers rallied around her, sharing messages of support with Brittany Hockley writing, "My love... I am a phone call away if you need anything."
"F**k. Not the results we were hoping for," Beca Pressing wrote. "I’m so sorry honey. I love you."
"Sending love and positive energy to you," Alex Nation added.
Many followers who had experience with the condition also shared messages of support, with one user writing, "I don’t usually comment on influencer accounts - but this disorder is sooo rare, no one ever knows what I’m talking about! It’s so good you’re publicising it.
"My mum has SCA6 - she’s 70 and still doing super well, just movement and speech increasingly difficult. I’m sure you know SCA6 is late onset so her symptoms only started late 50s. My sister tested and found out she has it too. I decided not to test, not sure I want to know. Really hope you’re ok and symptom-free still!"
Megan responded, "I kept putting off testing too - not sure if it’s that beneficial knowing since it can’t be treated! Glad to hear your Mum is doing well. My Pop suffered pretty bad with it (couldn’t swallow properly, walk or talk properly), so hard staring down the lens of that."
Former MAFS star Clare Verrall also shared, "I'm sorry to hear that. It's a tough diagnosis, but not a death sentence. A friend of mine was diagnosed in her late 20s & is now in her mid-40s with minimal symptoms, so remember not all cases are the same. A lot to take on though. I hope you are able to manage it well."
SHOP:
Another user wrote, "I was diagnosed with SCA1 when I was 28. Now 37. Having the diagnosis can be almost relieving. I felt like now I have an answer, an identity."
Many others shared support, with Megan writing that the diagnosis was a "good reminder that life is delicious and we need to eat it all up".
Never miss a thing. Sign up to Yahoo Lifestyle’s daily newsletter.
Or if you have a story idea, email us at lifestyle.tips@yahooinc.com.
