A Difficult Health Journey
Vicki Gunvalson, the 64-year-old star of The Real Housewives of Orange County, recently provided an update on her longtime friend and former castmate, Jeana Keough. During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, Gunvalson addressed Keough's ongoing fight against cancer.
«She’s going through it,» Gunvalson shared during the August 9 broadcast. «She’s currently undergoing chemotherapy and radiation, and we are just keeping her in our prayers.»
The Diagnosis and Treatment Process
The severity of Keough's condition was previously brought to light by her daughter, Kara, who organized a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the 70-year-old reality star's mounting medical expenses. Kara detailed the timeline of the diagnosis, noting that the issue began with a persistent sore on her mother's tongue that had been present for nearly a year.
Medical professionals eventually confirmed a diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue. Although the family was initially optimistic following an initial surgery, the situation grew more complex. Kara explained: «After the surgery to remove the initial growth, we were hopeful the worst was over. However, during a follow-up procedure to remove lymph nodes, doctors discovered that the cancer had spread, turning what we hoped would be a single surgery into a full-scale battle against the disease.»
Managing Pain and Recovery
The treatment process has been grueling for Keough. According to her daughter, the radiation therapy has caused severe side effects. «The radiation burns have extended to the skin on her neck, making even the application of medicated cream an incredibly painful experience for her,» Kara noted.
Despite the challenges, the family is finding small victories. Kara highlighted that they have successfully transitioned to using a feeding tube, which has helped stabilize her mother's weight. Managing Keough's pain remains a primary focus, though it is complicated by her preference to avoid narcotic medications. «The pain is excruciating, but she refuses narcotics, so managing it has become an unfortunately difficult challenge for us to navigate,» added Kara.