Country star Rory Feek revealed that his 12-year-old daughter, Indiana, was airlifted to a hospital last week due to a sudden and frightening health crisis. Indiana, who has Down syndrome, had undergone open-heart surgery in June to correct a congenital ventricular septal defect (VSD).
Feek, 61, shared on Substack that in the early hours of last Thursday, Indiana began experiencing severe vomiting and then lost consciousness. He described the harrowing experience, stating he and his wife were "literally crying, begging for help," and feared they might lose her.
Indiana was initially taken by ambulance to a hospital in Waco, Texas, the family's hometown. However, the emergency room doctor determined she required more specialized care and arranged for her transfer to a hospital in Austin. Feek recounted how a life-flight helicopter was dispatched to the rooftop of the Waco hospital, and his wife, Rebecca, accompanied Indiana on the flight while Feek drove to Austin.
Upon arrival at Dell Children’s Medical Center, medical staff determined that fluid had accumulated around Indiana's heart, constricting its ability to beat properly. She underwent another surgery to drain approximately 610 cubic centimeters of fluid, which had caused her heart to swell to twice its normal size. Feek was informed that this post-operative inflammation was not preventable and was a known risk.
Following the procedure, Indiana's heart rate normalized immediately. By that evening, she was awake and eating, and the following morning, her color had returned, and she was reportedly "pretty much her old self." Doctors indicated that Indiana is doing well and is expected to make a full recovery with no further complications.
Last month, Feek had announced the success of Indiana's initial open-heart surgery, noting that she was expected to lead a full life. He welcomed Indiana with his late wife, Joey Feek, who died in 2016 after battling cancer. Feek has also had public disputes with his older daughters, Heidi and Hopie, regarding his online sharing of Indiana's medical journey.