Joey Feek Responds To Grammy Nomination With Tears: Battles Terminal Cancer & Raising Baby With Down Syndrome
When Joey Feek learned that she had been nominated for a Grammy, the country star shed tears of joy. But the honor comes at a time when Joey is leaning on her husband Rory Feek as he supports her in her battle with terminal cancer. The two are also raising a daughter with Down syndrome.
But through all the hardship, Joey and Feek have shared their love of life, their courage, and their desire to make an impact on the world, reported MSN.
Known for their bluegrass music charm, Rory revealed the happiness that he and Joey felt about the news. Feek recalled what happened when he told his ailing wife that “If I Needed You” had been nominated for the Grammy Best Country Duo/Group Performance award.
“[I] woke my bride up this morning with a baby in my arms and the news that our version of “If I Needed You” was nominated for a Grammy. As her excitement and tears flowed into mine. She said, ‘how can that be?’….the song received no radio airplay… no press… no critical acclaim… and the only music video we made for it was to celebrate the day our little Indiana was born. God is so good. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Although Joey and Feek shed tears of joy over their Grammy nomination, the couple has sought to stay positive since the 40-year-old singer learned she had stage 4 cancer in spring 2014. Joey underwent surgeries and treatments, but the cancer came back. In October, Joey chose to halt treatment for cancer and began hospice care.
“My wife knows I love Christmas. There’s a magic that’s in the air that isn’t there any other time of the year,” he shared. “Christmas does what no amount of New Year’s resolutions or self-help books can do… it changes people. It brings out the very best in us, and in others.”
The couple have a 2-year-old daughter, Indiana, born with Down syndrome. As the Inquisitr reported, the little girl got a very special Christmas gift that symbolized the outpouring of love and support from the community to Joey and Feek.
The couple have a favorite pizza restaurant, Pizza King, which gave them a huge bag of gifts individually wrapped to take the little girl and her parents through Christmas Day.
But even as Joey and Feek reacted to their Grammy nomination with tears of happiness, the country star knows that death is near, reported Us Weekly.
Joe emphasized that she does not fear death.
“I pray that one morning I just don’t wake up,” revealed Rory’s wife. “I don’t fear anything because I’m so close to God and we’ve talked about it so many times. I know he’s close. And I know he loves me. I’m really at peace. I still believe there’s healing in prayer.”
During the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, Joey and Rory danced what they think will be their final dance as a couple. Feek noted that they want to focus on the present and share their story with the world.
“A few days ago, the last day Joey walked, I took her in my arms in the living room and once more put her hand in mine and we danced,” revealed Rory. “Like dancing, she wants to do this right, or not at all. To share the good, the bad, and the beautiful.”
When Indiana had genetic chromosome testing at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, they confirmed that the baby had Down syndrome.
“Although that news came at first as a surprise to us, Joey and I wouldn’t have changed a thing,” emphasized Rory.
[Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images]
