Jeana Keough’s daughter Kara Bosworth is giving fans an honest look at her mom’s tongue cancer battle, and it’s far from the glossy reality TV version. In an update to Page Six, Bosworth said the 71-year-old former Real Housewives of Orange County star still isn’t eating orally. She manages a few bites before frustration and loss of taste take over, and a feeding tube handles her nutrition instead. Keough has been through tongue and neck surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and immunotherapy since her diagnosis, and she still has speech and swallow therapy twice a week.
The day-to-day is rough. Bosworth says her mom sleeps a lot and deals with coughing fits that can cause vomiting. She also said Keough feels regret about the toll of the intense treatment and wishes she hadn’t done any of it. The family believes her diagnosis could have come sooner, after a dentist attributed a tongue sore to a sharp tooth. Keough was given a 40 to 60 percent five-year cure rate.
Beyond the celebrity angle, this is a story about how hard it can be to advocate for your own health and how complicated recovery can look even when the news sounds hopeful. It’s also a reminder that families often carry just as much of the burden as the patient. Have you ever had to push a doctor for a second opinion? Tell us your story in the comments.
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.