Real Housewives of Orange County alum Jeana Keough revealed her survival rate after receiving her tongue cancer prognosis.
Sadly, Jeana is unable to speak currently, but she communicated with Page Six via email regarding her health status.
“It’s upsetting to know that even after all this treatment, I still only have a 40 to 60 percent [chance of a cure] within the next five years. We’re just praying that I’m on the good side of that coin flip.”
Jeana continued, “I can see the finish line now, but I’m hearing it’s a long climb to recovery and that I’ll likely have the feeding tube for two to six months.”
She’s days away from completing radiation and just completed her last round of chemo. However, she said that “due to the location and spread of the cancer, the effects of the radiation have been the worst part. My whole neck and mouth and head light up in heat, pain and soreness, and the resulting inflammation of my throat and tongue makes talking, swallowing or breathing through my mouth incredibly painful.”
Jeana elaborated, “I can no longer swallow without gagging and then vomiting, which hurts like hell with a raw and inflamed throat and tongue.”
After “weeks” of struggling with these unbearable symptoms, Jeana was admitted to the hospital for malnourishment and dehydration, but a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) blood clot “complicated the visit.” The former Bravolebrity was able to undergo surgery to have a feeding tube placed directly into her stomach.
“I’m now like a newborn baby being fed by my caregivers every three hours. I still have nausea and vomiting because of the chemo, and that really hurts now with the feeding tube incision being so fresh.” As a “hyper-independent woman,” Jeana explained, “It’s hard feeling so dependent on other people. This has been a challenge unlike anything I’ve ever faced.”
