Jeana Keough, a cast member of "The Real Housewives of Orange County," has been diagnosed with a rare form of tongue cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, and has undergone two surgeries. Her daughter, Kara, revealed the diagnosis on a GoFundMe page established to help cover Keough's medical treatments.
Keough, 70, initially noticed a sore on her tongue that persisted for nearly a year, initially attributing it to a tooth. After multiple dentist visits to file down a tooth, a biopsy confirmed the cancer.
The initial surgery aimed to remove the cancerous growth, but a subsequent operation to remove lymph nodes revealed that the cancer had spread. Keough is now in her fifth week of chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy treatments.
According to her daughter, these treatments are proving "relentless," leaving Keough exhausted and struggling to eat due to pain in her tongue and throat. This has resulted in malnourishment and difficulty with hydration. Keough, whose work is commission-based, has been unable to continue her job.
Kara Keough and her partner Kyle Bosworth, who live on the other side of the country, are unable to provide constant support due to their own young children. Kara created the GoFundMe to assist with expenses, daily living costs, nutrition, and other support needed during treatment, with the goal of reminding her mother that she is not fighting alone. The fundraising page quickly garnered over $23,000 within six hours, nearing its $26,000 goal. Notable donors include film producer Regina Manian, actor Mark Hammond, and fellow "Real Housewives" cast members Tamra Judge and Victoria Gunvalson.
Keough was one of the original stars of "The Real Housewives of Orange County," appearing as a main cast member from its first season in 2005 through season five. She has made subsequent appearances on the show. Her acting credits also include an appearance on "Cheers."