Rising country music star Joshua Ray Walker is bravely sharing his journey with fans as he battles a recent diagnosis of lung cancer at just 33 years old. Walker, who first announced his fight with colon cancer in December, revealed that the disease has unexpectedly spread to his lungs, with doctors indicating he is likely in Stage IV.
In his latest update, posted on Instagram on Friday, Walker detailed a serious surgical procedure he had undergone just a day earlier. Surgeons performed a lung biopsy, during which they had to drill five holes in his ribs, deflate his lung, remove a section, sew it back together, and then re-inflate it.
“They are going to be taking a drainage tube out later today, and I’m coming home a day earlier because I’m healing up so fast,” Walker shared in the emotional video. Despite being in considerable pain, he expressed relief at having made it through the surgery.
“I’m in a good amount of pain. Breathing hurts. Coughing hurts. But I’m here. I’m alive. I’m awake. I made it through the surgery,” Walker said. “Now we wait on the results.”
Fans and fellow musicians in the country music community have continued to offer overwhelming support as Walker faces this difficult journey. His candid updates have brought both hope and solidarity as he navigates the next steps in his battle against cancer.