Jeana Keough from “Real Housewives of Orange County” Has Tongue Cancer

What Happened?

Jeana Keough, who was on the TV show Real Housewives of Orange County (RHOC), has been diagnosed with tongue cancer. Her daughter, Kara (age 37), shared the news.

• Jeana was an original cast member of RHOC.
• She was on the show for 5 seasons, from 2006 to 2010.
• Kara told everyone through a GoFundMe page made to help pay for Jeana’s treatment.

How It Started

A few months ago, Jeana visited Kara and her partner Shane in Florida. She mentioned a painful spot on her tongue.

• Jeana thought a tooth was rubbing on her tongue.
• She went to the dentist many times to file the tooth down.
• Kara asked how long the sore had been there.
• Jeana realized it had been almost a year.

The Diagnosis

After a biopsy (a small test where doctors take a tiny piece to look at), the family got bad news.

• The test showed: squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.
  That’s a kind of cancer that starts in the flat cells of the tongue.
• Jeana (age 70) had two surgeries:
  1. One to remove the cancer.
  2. One to remove lymph nodes (small bean-shaped parts that help fight sickness).
• After the second surgery, doctors saw the cancer had spread (moved to other places).

Important: What they thought would be one surgery turned into a full cancer battle.

Treatment Now

Jeana is now in her fifth week of:

• Chemotherapy (strong medicine to kill cancer)
• Radiation (energy beams to kill cancer)
• Immunotherapy (help the body’s own defenses fight cancer)

Kara says the treatments are relentless (never stop). Jeana is:

• Very tired and struggles to stay awake.
• Finding it hard to eat or drink because her tongue and throat hurt.
• Becoming malnourished (not getting enough food) since even small sips are tough.

Every day is a fight just to get enough food and water to keep going with treatment.

Money and Family Struggles

• Jeana can’t do her commission-based job (she only gets paid when she sells things), so she lost a lot of income.
• Kara and her partner Kyle Bosworth live far away with 3 young kids and feel helpless.
• Kara is visiting Jeana in Orange County and sees how much help she needs.
• Jeana’s kids (Kara, Shane, and Colton) want her to feel loved and supported.

The GoFundMe

The family made a page to raise money.

• The money will help with:
  • Bills and everyday costs
  • Nutrition (food help)
  • Extra support during treatment
• Goal: $22,000
• Raised so far: $4,700

Important: The fund is to make sure Jeana is cared for while she fights cancer, especially after Kara goes home.

Summary

Jeana Keough, original RHOC star, found a tongue sore a year ago thinking it was a tooth problem. It turned out to be tongue cancer that spread after surgery. She is now doing 5 weeks of chemo, radiation, and immunotherapy, is very weak, and can’t work. Her daughter Kara set up a GoFundMe for $22,000 (with $4,700 raised) to cover living costs and care.

FAQ

1. Who is Jeana Keough?
She is a former TV personality and original cast member of Real Housewives of Orange County from 2006 to 2010.

2. What is squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue?
It is a type of cancer that begins in the thin, flat cells on the tongue.

3. Why did the family start a GoFundMe?
To help pay for Jeana’s expenses, food, and support since she is too sick to work and needs help.

4. How much money have they raised?
As of the report, $4,700 out of a $22,000 goal.

5. Where is Kara, and why can’t she help more?
Kara lives across the country with her partner and three kids but is currently visiting to help and set up support.