Country singer Rory Feek shared an update on his 12-year-old daughter, Indiana, who is recovering after undergoing open-heart surgery to repair a congenital heart defect. Indiana, who has Down syndrome, was born with a ventricular septal defect (VSD), a condition that involves a small hole in her heart, and was diagnosed shortly after her birth in 2014.
In an update on his Substack, This Life I Live, Feek stated that Indiana "should live a full, long life" following the procedure. He described the emotional experience of visiting Indiana in the ICU with his wife, Rebecca. "Indiana heard our voice, her tears that began falling caused a chain reaction from her Mama and me," Feek wrote. "Hers because she's frightened and in pain, and not fully understanding what's happening, and why she has all the tubes and wires attached to her. Ours because it hurts us to see her in so much pain that we can't make go away."
Feek explained that the family had known for several months that Indiana would require surgery as the hole in her heart had begun to cause complications. The operation, initially scheduled for Wednesday, was postponed to Thursday morning. Feek noted that he needed the extra day to process the upcoming events for both himself and his daughter.
Throughout the surgery, Feek and Rebecca received hourly updates from a nurse. "At one point, she said the surgeon had found something new that concerned him - which greatly concerned us - but it turned out to be fine," Feek recounted. "The hole in her heart is closed, the blockages are cleared, and she should make a full recovery and live a full, long, life."
Post-surgery, Indiana has been sleeping frequently, and her waking moments are often filled with tears and confusion. Feek admitted to being on an emotional rollercoaster alongside his daughter, expressing gratitude for being present and for the love and support they have received. "Blessed to be here, but disappointed to be here. Thankful that it’s done, but heartbroken that it has had to be at all. Mostly grateful that we’re not here alone. That we’re surrounded by so much love," he shared.
Indiana is the daughter of Rory Feek and his late wife, Joey, who was one half of the country and gospel duo Joey + Rory and passed away in 2016 from metastatic cervical cancer. Feek also has daughters, Heidi and Hopie, from his first marriage. He married Rebecca in July 2024; she had been Indiana's schoolteacher and a longtime family friend. According to reports, Indiana played a role in their relationship, viewing Rebecca as a maternal figure.