Country singer Rory Feek has shared an emotional update on his 12-year-old daughter, Indiana, who is now recovering after surgery for a congenital heart condition. The procedure, initially scheduled for Wednesday, June 24, was pushed back and took place Thursday morning at Dell Children’s Medical Center in Austin, Texas.
Feek wrote on his Substack that Indiana was in the ICU recovering with him and his wife Rebecca by her side. “When we walked into the room, and Indiana heard our voice, her tears that began falling caused a chain reaction from her Mama and me,” he shared. “Hers because she’s frightened and in pain… Ours because it hurts us to see her in so much pain that we can’t make go away”
Indiana, who has Down syndrome, was diagnosed with a ventricular septal defect, a small hole in her heart, shortly after her birth in 2014. Doctors initially believed the hole would close on its own, but it never did. In January, specialists confirmed that surgery was necessary, as the condition could eventually affect her quality of life and longevity.
About half of all babies born with Down syndrome are born with heart conditions, with holes being among the most common.
Despite some concerning moments during the procedure, including a moment where surgeons found something that “turned out to be fine”, the surgery was successful. Feek wrote that Indiana “should make a full recovery and live a full, long life”.
The hardest part leading up to the surgery, Feek said, was helping Indiana prepare emotionally. She was tearful and scared, but hospital staff helped ease her fears. Indiana decorated her oxygen mask and received a teddy bear named “Hearty” with stitches on its chest like the ones she would have.
Feek, whose late wife Joey passed away from cancer in 2016, remarried Indiana’s teacher Rebecca in 2024. He thanked the medical team and fans for their prayers, writing: “Thank you Jesus”.
