“Real Housewives of Orange County” alum Gina Keough has been diagnosed with tongue cancer, her daughter Carla has revealed.
“A few months ago, while Shane and I were visiting in Florida, my mom told me she had a sore spot on her tongue,” Carla, 37, wrote on GoFundMe, which is raising money to help pay for the TV personality’s medical expenses.
“She even went to the dentist multiple times to have her tooth removed because she thought it was abrasion.”
When Carla asked Mr Keogh, 70, how long it had been since he had the sore on his tongue, Mr Keogh said: “I stopped and thought about it and realized it had been almost a year.”
“The biopsy results confirmed our worst fear: squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue,” she wrote, explaining that the reality star subsequently underwent two surgeries, one to remove the cancer and the other to “remove lymph nodes.”
However, after the second surgery, doctors realized that the cancer had spread.
“What I thought would be a one-time surgery turned into a full-fledged battle with cancer,” Carla added. “Gina is currently in her fifth week of chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy.”
“The treatment is relentless. She is exhausted, struggles to stay awake, and is becoming malnourished as her sore tongue and throat make it incredibly difficult to swallow even the smallest sips and sips. It’s a daily battle just to get enough nutrition and fluids to continue treatment.”
Kara explained that Bravo graduates have lost a huge amount of income because they are no longer able to work on commission.
Additionally, Carla explained that she and her partner Kyle Bosworth, who live across the country with their three young children, felt helpless in being unable to help Keogh.
“We have often asked to just be there to help with the overwhelming daily events during cancer treatment,” she continued, sharing that she is currently visiting Keough in Orange County and “seeing firsthand what she is going through.”
“It made me realize even more how much support she needs, not only while she’s here, but also when she gets home,” Kara wrote. “My brothers (Shane and Colton) and I want to help our mom feel cared for, loved, and supported throughout this fight.”
Carla told readers that the funds will go toward the former Bravolebrities’ “expenses, daily living expenses, nutrition, and any additional support needed during treatment.”
As of this article’s publication, $4,700 of the $22,000 goal has been raised.
Keough was an original member of the “RHOC” cast, appearing on the series for five seasons from 2006 to 2010.
