It may have been a sad thing when Tamra Judge found out she would not be back on Real Housewives of Orange County, but maybe it was a blessing in disguise. Her family could actually use the privacy at this time.
Tamra’s ex-husband Simon Barney just revealed that he has been diagnosed with Stage 3 throat cancer. This is undoubtedly horrific news, but it has managed to bring the infamously strained family closer together.
In an interview with People, Tamra shared, “He told me the news and we both literally started crying. I just couldn’t believe it.” She also admitted, “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.”
The silver lining of the diagnosis is the healed relationships within the family. Tamra has reconnected with her daughter Sidney Barney, who she has had a very public estrangement from. Simon is in greater contact with Ryan Vieth, Tamra’s son from her first marriage. Simon is also talking with his son Spencer Barney again, following their own estrangement.
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Simon told the publication, “It’s kind of like a new beginning for me and my family. It’s really brought everyone closer together.” He also shared, “When I told Tamra, she said she cried for like, two or three days. Things changed with our relationship from there, in a good way. We’re getting along in ways we haven’t in years. And she’s become close with my fiancée. And that shift carried across the board with my kids, too.”
Fans haven’t seen Simon on the show since Tamra told him she wanted a divorce, so why did he choose to share his diagnosis with the magazine? He explained to People, “I’m a private person, despite what my time on reality television might say. But I wanted to speak before someone else does and uses their words, not mine. And to speak out about it so others can see how I’ve taken this fight on with optimism, and the good this has ultimately brought my life.”
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After a biopsy revealed that the cancer was too spread out, the doctors ruled out surgery. Instead, they recommended that he goes through chemotherapy and radiation.
Ultimately, Simon declared, “I think everything happens for a reason, I think your destiny is pretty much set for you, and you’re here to learn lessons. This has been a tough lesson for me. And I’m hoping it can be a lesson for others, too.”
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TELL US- DO YOU HAVE ANY WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR SIMON AND HIS FAMILY? WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE EFFECT OF THE DIAGNOSIS ON THE PREVIOUS FAMILY DRAMA?
[Photo Credit: Bravo]
