Jeana Keough, the 70-year-old original cast member of The Real Housewives of Orange County, is fighting squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue. Her daughter Kara Bosworth revealed the diagnosis, detailing a health battle that started with a painful spot Keough thought was just a blister. The reality star assumed a tooth was rubbing against her tongue and even visited the dentist multiple times to file it down before seeking a second opinion.
The pain persisted for nearly a year. A biopsy ultimately confirmed the cancer, prompting an initial surgery to remove it. But a recommended second surgery to remove her lymph nodes brought worse news. The cancer had already spread.
The Bravo veteran is now in her fifth week of a rigorous treatment plan involving chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy. Bosworth stated her mother is exhausted and struggling to stay awake. Severe throat and tongue pain makes swallowing even small bites or sips incredibly difficult, leaving Keough malnourished.
Unable to work during the treatment, she faces a steep financial burden. Her children, Kara and Shane Bosworth, launched a GoFundMe campaign with a $22,000 goal. The fundraiser quickly surpassed $15,000 in early donations as fans flooded her recent July 16 Instagram post with supportive messages.
Keough helped launch the Bravo empire when RHOC premiered in 2006, starring as a main cast member for the first five seasons. She remains a fixture in the network’s history and appears in the premiere episode of the upcoming franchise anniversary special, The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th.