Jeana Keough, one of the OG stars of The Real Housewives of Orange County, has been diagnosed with tongue cancer at the age of 70, her daughter confirmed.
The former Bravo star was recently diagnosed, and her daughter, Kara Bosworth, shared details on social media as she looks to crowdfund to cover cancer treatment expenses.
“A few months ago, while visiting Shane and me in Florida, my mom mentioned a painful spot on her tongue. She assumed a tooth had been rubbing against it and had even gone to the dentist multiple times to have the tooth filed down,” read the GoFundMe page.
After a biopsy, doctors confirmed Keough had cancer, and after surgery to remove it, a second surgery was recommended to remove lymph nodes. It was at this point that they discovered the cancer had spread.
“What we thought would be a one-time surgery became a full cancer battle. Jeana is now in her fifth week of chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy. The treatments are relentless,” Bosworth explained. “She is exhausted, struggling to stay awake, and becoming malnourished because the pain in her tongue and throat makes swallowing even the smallest bites or sips incredibly difficult.”
With Keough going through cancer treatment, she has been unable to work, and it has “created an enormous financial burden” on her.
“Living across the country in Florida with young children has made Shane and me feel painfully helpless throughout much of this journey,” Bosworth added. “With no direct flights between us, we’ve often wished we could simply be there to help with the everyday things that become overwhelming during cancer treatment. Now that I’m here in Orange County and seeing firsthand what she’s facing, I realize even more how much support she needs—not just while I’m here, but after I return home.”
Keough’s daughter said all funds raised “will go directly toward expenses, everyday living costs, nutrition, and the additional support she needs while undergoing treatment.” As of this post, over $15K was raised out of the $22K goal.
Jeana Keough was one of the original stars of Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Orange County when the reality series premiered in 2006. Keough was on the series for the first five seasons and has continued to make appearances throughout its run. She is featured in the premiere episode of The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th, which celebrates the franchise’s 20th anniversary.
