Mark Feehily has taken a step back due to ongoing health issues over the last few months.
He was forced to pull out of the Westlife tour this year that saw them take to the stage in America and Asia.
Now, he has shared a positive health update as he marks his 43rd birthday.
He shared a video of his daughter, Layla singing Happy Birthday to him as he explained that he is ” doing better each week”.
View this post on Instagram
He wrote: “Loving you all so much, I have been without social media apps on my phone for months now which has been really good for me just to take a break, but I do miss it and miss you all.
“Whilst I am not yet back to 100% …I am doing better each week and just enjoying time with my family and loved ones, it’s a physical and psychological journey! I wish I was there with you at the concerts – I love you – hugs and kisses.”
He was met with comments from his close friends including Kian Egan who wrote: “Happy Birthday Mark. Sending you lots of love.”
Jedward wrote: “adorable bday vibes.”
Mark released a statement about his health issues that stem back from 2020.
“It actually all started 3.5 years ago in August 2020 when I had surgery. Within a few days of this surgery I was in severe pain and rushed into A&E,” he explained at the time.
“I eventually ended that awful day in ICU (Intensive Care Unit) where I was informed that due to a complication with the surgery, I had developed severe “Sepsis”, a life threatening infection that would require immediate emergency surgery to rectify the problem and basically save my life. I spent the next few months in hospital. It was during lockdown.”
Her went on to say: “For months, due to strict Covid restrictions, I was not allowed any visitors including my fiancé and my then 10-month-old daughter. It was physically and mentally a very difficult time, not to mention traumatic having to spend so long in ICU. I was eventually discharged from hospital in December 2020 but I have had ongoing medical problems as a result of it all.
View this post on Instagram
“In late 2021, I became very ill in Newcastle before a concert and ended up back in A&E, this time being told I had pneumonia. I was told I had to go straight home to recover and regrettably miss the rest of the concerts that December.
“I was referred to a consultant who told me I needed more surgery which I went ahead with in May 2022 meaning I was forced to miss more of The Wild Dreams tour. Three months after that surgery, I tried my best to soldier on for you guys and to go back on tour but unfortunately the physical demands of the concerts and extensive travel were proving too much for me.
“I developed a very large ‘incisional hernia’ and I was told that I needed further surgery to fix it. This would be my fourth major surgery since the start of it all, but I had no option.”
He continued: “That surgery took place recently and thankfully it went according to plan but with that, my recovery must now become my absolute priority at this time.”
We’re glad to see Mark is feeling better!
