Jeana Keough suffers health setback as cancer treatment pauses

Jeana Keough has suffered a major setback in her battle with tongue cancer after doctors paused her treatment following the discovery of an infection and a blood clot in her leg.

The former Real Housewives of Orange County star was scheduled to undergo surgery to have a feeding tube fitted after struggling to eat for two weeks. However, the procedure has been postponed while doctors work to address the new health complications.

Keough's daughter, Kara Bosworth, shared the update on Instagram, revealing that her mother has become severely malnourished due to the pain caused by her illness.

“She hasn’t been able to eat a meal for two weeks, so she’s extremely depleted,” Bosworth wrote, adding that doctors uncovered a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in Keough's leg along with an infection.

Because of the infection, doctors have delayed inserting the feeding tube, while chemotherapy and radiation have also been temporarily paused.

Despite the setback, Bosworth said Keough remains determined to continue treatment, joking that her mother insisted she only had a “fake fever” and was ready to proceed with surgery.

Earlier this week, Bosworth publicly revealed that Keough had been diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue after living with what she believed was a persistent sore for nearly a year.

Although doctors initially hoped surgery had removed the cancer, a follow-up procedure found the disease had spread to her lymph nodes, leading to an intensive treatment plan that includes chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy.

Bosworth also highlighted the financial strain her mother is facing, explaining that the former reality star has been unable to work during treatment because her commission-based income has stopped.

She asked supporters to keep Keough in their thoughts as the family hopes the infection clears quickly so doctors can resume her cancer treatment.