Jeana Keough, a cast member of "The Real Housewives of Orange County," has been diagnosed with tongue cancer, her daughter Kara confirmed. The reality television personality is currently undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy.
Kara revealed the diagnosis via a GoFundMe page established to assist with Keough's treatment expenses. She explained that her mother, 70, first noticed a sore spot on her tongue several months prior, initially attributing it to a tooth rubbing against the area. Keough had visited the dentist multiple times to have a tooth filed down, but the persistent discomfort led to further investigation.
After nearly a year, Keough's daughter urged her to have the spot examined more closely. A biopsy confirmed the presence of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.
Keough has since undergone two surgeries. The first was to remove the cancerous tumor, and a subsequent surgery was performed to remove affected lymph nodes. However, post-operative evaluations revealed that the cancer had spread, leading to a more extensive treatment plan than initially anticipated.
According to Kara, Keough is now in her fifth week of treatment, which includes chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy. She described the treatments as "relentless" and noted that Keough is experiencing significant fatigue and malnutrition due to the pain in her tongue and throat, which makes swallowing difficult. Daily nutrition and hydration have become a challenge as Keough continues her battle against the disease.