'RHOC' Star Tamra Judge’s Ex-Husband Diagnosed With Stage III Throat Cancer
Tamra Judge has a harsh reality to face following her departure from the Real Housewives of Orange County: the Bravo star’s ex-husband Simon Barney has been diagnosed with stage III throat cancer, PEOPLE reported.
Back in May, Simon noticed his salivary glands were swollen on one side, but he was told it was possibly just an infection. An ultrasound and biopsy would later show he had cancer.
Doctors found the disease had spread into Simon’s throat, tonsils and lymph nodes to such an extent that surgery was ruled out, leaving him with the option of only undergoing chemotherapy and radiation.
Now, he receives chemotherapy every three weeks and mustgo to radiation 5 five days a week — for a total of seven weeks.
“You have an appetite but you can’t eat anything because your taste buds are gone, or they taste and smell like chemo — this metallic, disgusting taste and smell,” he said of the grueling medical regimen. “My throat is swollen and bleeding which makes it difficult to swallow even water.”
During his treatment, Simon has also experienced constant buzzing in his ear and slight hair loss, but he remains optimistic.
“I have hope,” Simon said. “Doctors have said I’m doing really well so far. So that’s good, the prognosis is good.”
“I think, if you had to pick out of from all my family, I was the right person to get it,” he continued. “I can survive this, at least mentally.”
He added: “If it’s my time to die, it’s my time to die. I’ve lived a good life, and you can’t do anything about that. But if it’s not, then I’m going to fight this. I’m going to fight it with a smile and a laugh, and I’m going to beat it. It’s whatever my destiny is.”
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Cancer Hell
Tamra’s ex-husband Simon is battling stage III throat cancer.
Distraught Ex
Tamra took the news hard when he revealed his devastating diagnosis to the reality star. “He told me the news and we both literally started crying. I just couldn’t believe it,” the RHOC star told PEOPLE. “My first thought was, ‘I don’t want to take my kids to their dad’s funeral,’ and immediately, any ill feelings between the two of us just vanished. At the end of the day, none of that matters. All we have to do is rally together to make it through this.”
Mended Relationships
Even Simon admitted the bad news has helped improve his relationship with Tamra. “We’re getting along in ways we haven’t in years,” he claimed, noting it’s had an effect on the family dynamic. “That’s what I’ve always wanted,” he said.
“My fiancée, the same thing, she’s always wanted that with my ex-wife, for the kids. The kids would prefer it if we all got along. And they see that now, and it’s had such a powerful effect.”
Past Life
Readers know that Simon and Tamra were married for 13 years before their 2011 split. Following their breakup, they spent years butting heads, which included nasty custody battles.
Estranged Daughter
Their daughter Sidney decided to move in with Simon. She and Tamra did not get along, but after Simon’s cancer diagnosis, they are again communicating.
Family Truce
In June 2019, after years of being at odds, the reality star and her ex buried the hatchet for the sake of the family, RadarOnline.com reported. They even came together to attend their daughter Sophia’s dance.