The Real Housewives of Orange County star Jeana Keough has been given a health update by her daughter, Kara Keough, following the conclusion of her chemotherapy treatment for tongue cancer.
Kara, 37, provided an update on Jeana’s GoFundMe page on Friday, July 31, stating, “Jeana is home and recovering. She’s finished with chemo and has only 2 days of radiation remaining. After next week’s session, she’ll begin her recovery process.”
Kara noted that Jeana, aged 70, is “continuing to lose weight” but is “stronger than she was before the feeding tube was placed.”
She added, “Her boyfriend Thomas, along with [Kara’s brother] Colton and I, are taking turns caring for her, ensuring at least one of us is with her at all times. Although she’s currently not speaking or swallowing, she communicates through texts. She’s focused on looking after others, but we are reminding her that her recovery should be her priority.”
Kara anticipates that Jeana will likely need a feeding tube for “two to six months” to help her regain the ability to swallow essential nutrients and fluids.
“It’s going to be a challenging journey, and despite all this treatment, there’s only a 40 to 60% chance of complete healing within the next five years,” Kara concluded.
Kara disclosed Jeana’s cancer diagnosis last month when she launched a fundraiser to assist with treatment expenses.
“A few months back, while visiting Shane and me in Florida, my mom mentioned a painful spot on her tongue,” Kara wrote on the GoFundMe page. “She thought it was caused by a tooth and had visited the dentist multiple times to have the tooth filed down. It wasn’t until she reflected on how long the sore had been there that she realized it had been almost a year.”
A biopsy confirmed the presence of squamous cell carcinoma on Jeana’s tongue.
Jeana Keough is receiving support from her Real Housewives of Orange County family following her tongue cancer diagnosis. “Most of you have heard my dear friend @jeanakeough is battling cancer. Her daughter Kara detailed her journey in this GoFundMe post,” Vicki Gunvalson shared via Instagram on Sunday, July 19…
“After the initial surgery to remove the cancer, we were hopeful the worst was over. However, when doctors suggested a second surgery to eliminate lymph nodes, they found the cancer had spread,” Kara continued. “What was anticipated as a single surgery turned into a full-blown battle against cancer. Jeana is now in her fifth week of chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy. The treatments are intense.”
In a subsequent Instagram post on July 21, Kara mentioned that Jeana had a DVT clot in her leg, along with an infection, which delayed her surgery for a feeding tube. Jeana was cleared for surgery a few days later, yet she continued to experience severe “tongue and throat pain,” Kara reported on July 27.
Kara gained prominence alongside Jeana when their family appeared on RHOC from 2006 to 2010. In a recent exclusive interview with Us, she discussed how she would respond if her mother expressed an interest in returning to reality TV.
“Right now, when it comes to my mom? I would give her anything she desires,” Kara stated. “If that would bring her happiness, I would support it because I’m willing to do anything for her.”
