Billy Joel's daughter, Alexa Ray Joel, recently took to social media to express her gratitude for the overwhelming support her father has received following the announcement of his battle with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a brain disorder characterized by excess cerebrospinal fluid in the brain's ventricles.
"I just wanted to thank you all for the beautiful outpouring of love and support amid the recent news of my father's health diagnosis," Alexa Ray wrote in an Instagram post on Saturday.
"My Dad is the strongest and most resilient man I’ve ever known... and he’s entirely committed to making a full recovery with ongoing physical-therapy treatments as he continues to regain his strength."
On Friday, Joel canceled all his scheduled concerts after revealing his diagnosis. "This condition has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision, and balance," a statement from Joel's team said. "Under his doctor’s instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period. Billy is thankful for the excellent care he is receiving and is fully committed to prioritizing his health."
Alexa Ray's mother and Billy Joel's ex-wife, Christie Brinkley, also sent well-wishes to him on social media, writing, "The whole Brinkley gang is sending you lots of love and good wishes for a full and speedy recovery… you turn an arena of strangers into a living room full of friends as we all sway in unison... I’m sure I’m speaking for everyone in that room when I say please take good care of yourself, we all want you back in that white-hot spotlight, you’re OUR piano man. And we’re always in the mood for your melodies. And all hope you’re feeling alright!"
Alexa Ray added, "The genuine care, empathy, and concern from everyone means so much to him… it means a lot to me, too." She then quoted her father's song "Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)," saying, "‘Someday We’ll All Be Gone / But Lullabies Go On And On / They Never Die / That’s How You And I Will Be.’ The music continues…"