Jeana Keough‘s daughter, Kara, is asking for fan support amid the Real Housewives of Orange County alum’s tongue cancer diagnosis.
“Jeana will undergo surgery today to have a PEG feeding tube placed so she can receive the nutrition her body desperately needs,” Kara, 37, wrote via her mother’s GoFundMe on Thursday, July 23. “This will allow us to bypass the painful swallowing and choking that happen[s] every time she tries to eat or drink. Our hope is that getting adequate nutrition will give her the strength she needs to continue fighting — and that she’ll be well enough to come home as early as this weekend.”
“If you’re willing, we’d be so grateful for your prayers today: For a safe surgery and that the DVT (blood clot) in her leg remains stable, with no complications related to the clot. For a smooth, comfortable recovery so we can begin tube feedings quickly and get her home,” Kara continued. “For wisdom and the right timing in treating the blood clot without interrupting her cancer treatment. That she rings the bell next Friday, celebrating the completion of her chemotherapy and radiation. For complete healing in the months ahead—that her tongue and throat regain full function, she can eat and drink without pain again, and one day the feeding tube can be removed.”
Kara went on to thank fans for “continuing to pray, encourage, and carry our family through this.” She concluded, “We are so thankful for every single one of you. ❤️.”
Kara and her brother Shane shared their mother’s cancer diagnosis in a joint Instagram post earlier this month. After the family created a GoFundMe account to raise money for expenses, everyday living costs, nutrition and additional support, Bravo personalities including Vicki Gunvalson, Tamra Judge and more donated.
“She cried when I showed her how many of you have donated, sent prayers and offered advice and help. We’re reading all your encouraging words and my sweet mama is blown away by the kindness and generosity of so many of you,” Kara wrote via her Instagram Story on Sunday, July 19. “As her kid — knowing the scale and depth of her current struggles — I will sleep so much better tonight because of all of you. … Truly. You’ve helped her in more ways than I can tell you.”
Jeana is now on her fifth week of chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue or tongue cancer.
“She refuses to acknowledge that she’s sick,” Kara told Us when marking 20 years of RHOC, “and I think that the cancer will believe her and follow suit.”
