A reality star is dealing with a devastating diagnosis. Real Housewives of Orange County alum Jeana Keough has tongue cancer. Her daughter, Jeana Keough, confirmed the sad diagnosis.
Videos by Wide Open Country
"A few months ago, while visiting Shane and me in Florida, my mom mentioned a painful spot on her tongue," Kara shared on a GoFundMe for the reality star. "She assumed a tooth had been rubbing against it and had even gone to the dentist multiple times to have the tooth filed down."
Multiple visits revealed that the sore had been on her tongue for nearly a year.
"A biopsy confirmed our worst fear: squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue," she wrote. The reality star underwent surgery to remove the cancer and lymph nodes. But the cancer had already 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."
Reality Star Deals with Cancer Diagnosis
Her daughter says that it has been an exhausting process. She also said that the reality star has been unable to work.
"The treatments are relentless. 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. Every day is a battle just to get enough nutrition and hydration to continue treatment."
Kara and her husband live across the country, so it is hard to be there for her mother amid the cancer battle.
"We've often wished we could simply be there to help with the everyday things that become overwhelming during cancer treatment," she continued. "I realize even more how much support she needs — not just while I'm here, but after I return home. My brothers [Shane and Colton] and I want to help make sure Mom feels cared for, loved, and supported throughout this fight."
Funds from the fundraiser will help the reality star with daily living while she is undergoing treatment. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family as they deal with this tragic situation.
