The singer's daughter, who has Down syndrome, was diagnosed with a ventricular septal defect just after she was born in 2014
Credit: Rory Feek/Instagram
NEED TO KNOW
- Rory Feek shared that his daughter Indiana’s open-heart surgery is due to complications from a congenital heart defect
- Indiana, who has Down syndrome, was diagnosed with a ventricular septal defect shortly after her birth in 2014
- Feek reflected on the emotional challenges of preparing Indiana for surgery and the support she received at the hospital
Rory Feek's daughter is set to undergo open-heart surgery.
In a series of posts shared to his Substack, the country singer, 61, shared that his 12-year-old daughter, Indiana, will have open-heart surgery on Wednesday, June 24, after she was diagnosed with a "small hole" in her heart shortly after she was born.
Feek's first post, from Monday, June 22, shared that his daughter is set to have the surgery in Austin, Texas.
"'I don't want the surgery Papa,' Indy said through tears a few nights ago as we finished prayers and tucked her into bed," wrote Feek. "'I want the miracle,' she said as I held her and she cried. Amen, honey. We do too."
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The musician shared that his family has known for the last few months that Indiana would have to have open-heart surgery after she was first diagnosed in February 2014 with a ventricular septal defect (VSD).
"In February 2014, just a few days after Indy was born, after a very troubling appointment with a local doctor, we took Indiana to Nashville to have her heart checked out," wrote Feek. "They say that about half of all little ones born with Down syndrome have heart issues. And some are much worse than others."
According to the National Down Syndrome Society, about half of all infants born with Down syndrome have a heart condition. Some can show symptoms at birth, and some can be diagnosed in utero.
"At the time of that first visit, we were told that Indiana had what is called a VSD (ventricular septal defect) — a small hole in her heart — that would most likely close up in time, and that in the years to come we would need to continue keeping an eye on."
The hole in Indiana's heart has not closed in the years since, and though it hasn't grown in size, it has started to cause complications. In January, doctors confirmed that Indiana would have to have surgery because if her heart isn't repaired, it could affect both her quality of life and the length of her life.
"The hardest part so far has been helping Indy get emotionally ready for what's coming," wrote Feek. "Preparing her for something that's going to be very hard on her. Hard on all of us, especially her Papa, to see her go through so much difficulty and pain. But I also know that when it's done, it's going to make her life better."
Indiana's surgery was scheduled for early morning on June 23. Feek said she should be in the operating room for six to seven hours, and then moved to the Intensive Care Unit for about a week.
"It's a surreal thing to be back spending time in hospitals again after all those years," said Feek. "Being here in this moment strangely reminds me of ten years ago when we prayed for a miracle for her mama Joey."
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The singer's wife, Joey Feek, died of cancer in March 2016 at age 40. Rory and Joey, who performed together as the Grammy-winning country duo Joey+Rory, were married for nearly 14 years before Joey’s death. In July 2024, Rory remarried to Indiana’s teacher, Rebecca.
Then on Tuesday, June 23, Feek posted another update ahead of his daughter's surgery. He shared that Indiana got emotional after arriving at the hospital for pre-op.
"We weren't there at the hospital ten minutes yesterday, when the tears started falling," said Feek. "Within minutes, one of the hospitals' sweet child life specialists named Lia joined us in the room and headed the rest of Indy's tears and fears off at the pass. A few moments later, she was explaining what Indiana was about to go through, using pictures of a puppy going through each step."
Indiana was then walked through what her surgery would look like, as well as where she'd be able to say goodbye to her parents and the operating room she'd be in. They then gave her her own oxygen mask to decorate with stickers and choose whatever scent she wanted for her anesthesia. She chose bubblegum.
"In no time, the fear was forgotten and we were on our way to get through all the many different tests they needed to run," said Feek. "It was a wonderful start to a much longer and harder journey that she, and we in many ways, are about to go on together."
"Tomorrow and all it is going to bring will be here soon enough. For now, we're thankful for joy and the love we've been blessed to share together today."
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