Jeana Keough continues to face a difficult recovery after her tongue cancer diagnosis. The former Real Housewives of Orange County star still struggles with eating and relies on a feeding tube for most of her nutrition. Her daughter, Kara Bosworth, recently shared an emotional update about her mother’s condition. The new details show that Keough’s recovery remains a long and painful process.
Kara Bosworth confirms her mother continues to rely on a feeding tube for nutrition
Bosworth gave Page Six an exclusive update after spending a week with Keough in Southern California. She said her mother still eats very little by mouth because eating takes too much effort and food no longer tastes the same. “Mom’s struggling,” Bosworth said. She explained that the feeding tube remains Keough’s “primary source of nutrition.”
Bosworth also said the treatment has taken a heavy emotional toll on her mother. She shared that Keough feels “a lot of regret due to the impacts of her treatment.” Bosworth added, “I think she just wishes she didn’t do any treatment.” She also said Keough sleeps often and suffers coughing fits that sometimes cause her to vomit.
Keough continues speech and swallow therapy twice a week, but Bosworth said the family still has “a long way to go.” Keough told the outlet in July over email that she was expected to require the feeding tube for two to six months. She also shared that doctors gave her a 40 to 60 percent cure rate over the next five years. At the time, she could not speak because of her treatment.
Since doctors diagnosed Keough in mid-July, she has gone through a tongue dissection, neck surgery to remove dozens of lymph nodes, feeding tube surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. She also spent time in the hospital because of malnourishment and dehydration during treatment. Doctors treated her for a deep vein thrombosis blood clot and a leg infection at the same time. Keough’s recovery continues as she works through therapy and fights to regain her strength.
