Former RHOC star Jeana Keough is receiving treatment after being diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.
Jeana Keough, an original cast member of The Real Housewives of Orange County, has been diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue at age 70. The reality television personality is currently undergoing an intensive treatment regimen after doctors discovered that the cancer had spread following surgery (1✔ ✔Trusted Source
RHOC Original Cast Member Jeana Keough Diagnosed with Tongue Cancer, Gets Support from Former Costar Vicki Gunvalson
).
According to her family, Keough is now in her fifth week of chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy. The treatments have taken a significant toll on her health, leaving her fatigued and making it difficult for her to maintain adequate nutrition and hydration.
Advertisement
Jeana Keough’s Tongue Cancer Diagnosis
Jeana Keough’s kids are supporting the reality star after she was diagnosed with tongue cancer.
On Sunday, July 19, the Real Housewives of Orange County alum’s two older children, Kara, 37, and Shane, 39, revealed that Jeana, 70, has been “in the middle of one of the most painful and vulnerable seasons of her life.”
“Everyone who knows her knows this: she’s almost impossibly optimistic in the face of terrifying things, wildfires, cancer, uncertainty,” the siblings wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of their mom sitting on the couch. “Yet somehow she’s always been afraid of the simplest thing: being vulnerable enough to ask for help.”
Advertisement
What Is Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Tongue?
In a GoFundMe created to help cover her mother’s medical expenses, Kara explained that Jeana was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue after she noticed a painful spot on her tongue and decided to get a biopsy.
“After surgery to remove the cancer, we were hopeful that the hardest part was behind her,” Kara wrote. “But when doctors recommended a second surgery to remove lymph nodes, they discovered the cancer had spread.”
Advertisement
Why Is Jeana Keough Receiving Immunotherapy?
With Jeana now approaching her fifth week of chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy, her daughter went on to emphasize how “relentless” her mom’s cancer treatments have been.
“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,” Kara explained. “Every day is a battle just to get enough nutrition and hydration to continue treatment.”
How Are Family and Friends Supporting Jeana Keough?
Since Jeana has been “unable to work” amid the “overwhelming” cancer treatments, her fellow RHOC alum Vicki Gunvalson joined dozens of others in donating funds to make sure that Jeana “feels cared for, loved and supported throughout this fight.”
This isn’t the first time that Gunvalson, 64, has stepped up to support Jeana and her family during difficult times. When Kara lost her son during childbirth in April 2020, Gunvalson did everything she could to make sure the family could be together amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reference:
- RHOC Original Cast Member Jeana Keough Diagnosed with Tongue Cancer, Gets Support from Former Costar Vicki Gunvalson – (https://people.com/rhoc-original-cast-member-jeana-keough-diagnosed-with-tongue-cancer-12022263)
Source-Medindia