Real Housewives icon diagnosed with tongue cancer at 70 as GoFundMe launched
Jeana Keough, Jo De La Rosa, Lauri Peterson and Vicki Gunvalson of Real Housewives of Orange County (Image: Getty Images)
The Real Housewives of Orange County original cast member Jeana Keough, 70, has been diagnosed with tongue cancer, with her daughter Kara Bosworth sharing details in a GoFundMe campaign set up to help cover treatment-related costs.
In the fundraiser text, Bosworth wrote: “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. The treatments are relentless,” adding: “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.”
How the diagnosis unfolded
Bosworth described how the Real Housewives icon’s health scare began: “A few months ago, while visiting Shane and me in Florida, my mom mentioned a painful spot on her tongue. She assumed a tooth had been rubbing against it and had even gone to the dentist multiple times to have the tooth filed down,” she wrote.
Bosworth said a biopsy confirmed “our worst fear: squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue”, and that Keough then underwent surgery to remove the cancer. Bosworth said a second surgery to remove lymph nodes followed, and it was at that point they discovered the cancer had spread.
Bosworth said her mother has been unable to work during treatment, which has created “an enormous financial burden”. She added that funds raised will go towards “expenses, everyday living costs, nutrition, and the additional support she needs while undergoing treatment”. The GoFundMe has so far raised more than $40,000, out of a goal of $50,000.
Jeana Keough and RHOC
Keough was one of the original stars of Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Orange County when the series premiered in 2006, appearing for its first five seasons and continuing to make appearances throughout the show’s run.
The franchise remains a major pop-culture touchstone, having spawned countless other Real Housewives shows around the world, including The Real Housewives of London.
It also recently returned for its landmark 20th season, and trailers suggest Keough will make a guest appearance during a celebration episode.
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