Jeana Keough, a cast member from the early seasons of "The Real Housewives of Orange County," has been diagnosed with a rare form of tongue cancer. The 70-year-old reality star has undergone two surgeries and is currently in her fifth week of chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy.
Keough's daughter, Kara, shared the news on a GoFundMe page established to help cover her mother's medical expenses. According to Kara, the diagnosis came after Keough complained about a persistent sore on her tongue, which she initially believed was caused by a tooth.
"A few months ago, while visiting Shane and me in Florida, my mom mentioned a painful spot on her tongue," Kara wrote on the fundraising page. "She assumed a tooth had been rubbing against it and had even gone to the dentist multiple times to have the tooth filed down." Keough realized the sore had been bothering her for nearly a year.
A biopsy confirmed squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, leading to the first surgery to remove the cancerous tissue. A subsequent surgery was performed to remove lymph nodes, but doctors discovered the cancer had spread. "What we thought would be a one-time surgery became a full cancer battle," Kara explained.
The treatments have left Keough exhausted, struggling with malnutrition due to difficulty swallowing, and unable to work her commission-based job. "Every day is a battle just to get enough nutrition and hydration to continue treatment," her daughter stated.
Kara and her partner Kyle Bosworth, who live across the country and have three young children, are unable to provide consistent daily support. "My brothers [Shane and Colton] and I want to help make sure Mom feels cared for, loved, and supported throughout this fight," Kara wrote, adding that the donations will go toward "expenses, everyday living costs, nutrition, and the additional support she needs while undergoing treatment."
The GoFundMe, launched on Sunday, had raised over $23,000 toward its $26,000 goal within six hours. Donations have come from several notable names, including film producer Regina Manian, actor Mark Hammond, and fellow "Real Housewives" stars Tamra Judge and Victoria Gunvalson.
Keough was one of the original cast members of "The Real Housewives of Orange County," appearing as a main cast member from its first season in 2005 through season five. She has since made various guest appearances on the show.