Credit: Instagram
Jeana Keough‘s daughter, Kara Keough Bosworth, offered an upsetting update on her cancer journey on Tuesday.
Following news that the 70-year-old Real Housewives of Orange County star had been diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, Kara, 37, took to her Instagram page to share that Jeana hadn’t had a meal in weeks and was dealing with not only a blood clot, but an infection that was keeping doctors from moving forward with her cancer treatment plan.
“It’s tough to field all the questions individually – because so many folks love and care about Mama Jeans, so updating friends and family here,” Kara began on July 21.
“Jeana was scheduled to get the G-tube this morning so she can get some nutrition. She hasn’t been able to eat a meal for 2 weeks, so she’s extremely depleted,” she explained. “We uncovered a DVT clot in her leg, and now an infection, too. The feeding tube can’t be put directly into her stomach until there’s clarity on the infection. Chemo and radiation is temporarily paused so we can figure this out.”
While Kara went on to share that her mother had insisted that her fever was “fake,” and that she was A-okay to go into surgery, she also called for prayers.
“Prayer needs: that this infection clears quickly, that she can get the G-tube surgery imminently so that hangry Jeana doesn’t murder someone, and that we can quickly resume treatment so that this torment can be put in the rear view mirror,” she added.
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As fans may have seen, Kara announced the launch of a GoFundMe campaign earlier this week, which has since raised over $67,000 of its $90,000 goal.
“A few months ago, while visiting [my brother Shane Keough] 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. I asked her how long the sore had been there. She paused, thought about it, and realized it had been nearly a year. A biopsy confirmed our worst fear: squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue,” Kara shared at the time.
Although she and her family were hopeful that surgery would remedy the situation, the cancer had sadly spread.
“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,” Kara revealed. “The treatments are relentless. 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. Every day is a battle just to get enough nutrition and hydration to continue treatment.”
Kara then noted that the disease had rendered Jeana unable to work.
“Any funds raised will go directly toward expenses, everyday living costs, nutrition, and the additional support she needs while undergoing treatment,” she added. “Most of all, your generosity will remind her that she is not fighting this battle alone. Whether you’re able to donate, share this page, or simply keep Jeana in your prayers, thank you. Your kindness, encouragement, and support mean more to our family than we can express.”
Jeana Keough was featured on The Real Housewives of Orange County in a full-time role for the first five seasons and has made numerous appearances in the years since, including a season 20 cameo.