Gina Kirschenheiter is sending her love to Jeana Keough as the former “Real Housewives of Orange County” star undergoes treatment for tongue cancer.
Gina said she knew Jeana had been dealing with health issues before her diagnosis became public because the two women share a close mutual friend.
Supporting Jeana Privately
In an August 8 interview with Us Weekly, Gina explained that she focused on offering Jeana comfort when they last saw each other.
“I just gave her really big hugs the night that I did see her,” Gina said.
The “RHOC” star did not want to pressure Jeana to discuss her condition while she was already managing the physical and emotional toll of treatment.
“She has so much she’s going through right now,” Gina said. “The last thing she needs is another housewife, you know, poking around in her business.”
Jeana’s Cancer Diagnosis
Jeana’s daughter, Kara Keough, announced in July that her mother had been diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.
Kara explained that Jeana initially believed a painful spot on her tongue was caused by a tooth rubbing against it. Jeana visited the dentist multiple times to have the tooth filed down before realizing the sore had been present for nearly a year.
A biopsy later confirmed that the sore was cancerous.
Jeana, 70, underwent surgery to remove the cancer. However, doctors discovered that it had spread after recommending a second procedure to remove lymph nodes.
What the family initially hoped would be a single operation became a treatment plan involving chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy.
A Difficult Turn
Gina said the diagnosis was especially heartbreaking because Jeana had recently entered a happy chapter in her personal life.
“She met this, like, great guy, and she was, like, so excited about that,” Gina said. “It was just so sad to watch her get to such a good, happy place, and then have this all happen.”
Kara has continued to provide updates about her mother’s condition throughout treatment. In late July, she revealed that Jeana had stopped speaking because of severe pain in her tongue and throat.
According to the outlet, the effects of radiation also made it difficult for Jeana to eat, drink or swallow. She later received a feeding tube to help her get adequate nutrition after the procedure was temporarily delayed by an infection and a blood clot in her leg.
Recovering at Home
In a July 31 update, Kara said her mother had returned home and completed chemotherapy, with only two radiation sessions remaining.
Jeana was still unable to speak or swallow and communicated with her family through text messages.
Kara said she, her brother Colton and Jeana’s boyfriend, Thomas, have rotated caregiving responsibilities to ensure someone is monitoring her at all times.
Although Jeana has continued trying to care for the people around her, Kara said the family has encouraged her to make recovery her priority.
The ‘RHOC’ Cast Rallies Around Jeana
Gina said Jeana has the support of the “RHOC” community as she continues recovering from treatment.
“I think that everyone rallies around, you know? Anyone who’s going through anything,” Gina said.
“It’s like a sisterhood,” she added. “Our hearts go out to Jeana and her family, and, you know, if she needs anything, we’re here for her.”
