Billy Joel'swife is speaking out about the singer'sbrain disorder diagnosis. Alexis Roderick Joel, who has been married tothe "Piano Man" singersince 2015, thanked fans "for the outpouring of love and support"in a statement sharedMay 26 on Instagram. The message came after Joel announced that he has been diagnosed withnormal pressure hydrocephalus, a brain disorder that has led to problems with his hearing, vision and balance. "We are so grateful for the wonderful care and swift diagnosis we received," Alexis Roderick Joel said. "Bill is beloved by so many, and to us, he is a father and husband who is at the center of our world. We are hopeful for his recovery. We look forward to seeing you all in the future." Billy Joel and Alexis Roderick Joel share two children together: Della, 9, and Remy, 7. The singer also shares daughterAlexa Ray Joel, 39, with his ex-wifeChristie Brinkley. Billy Joelbreaks silence on normal pressure hydrocephalus diagnosis, canceling concerts Brinkleypaid tribute to her ex-husband in her ownInstagram post on May 24, writing that the "whole Brinkley gang is sending you lots of love and good wishes for a full and speedy recovery." She continued by urging Joel to "please take good care of yourself" because "we all want you back in that white hot spotlight," adding, "We're always in the mood for your melodies And we all hope you're feeling alright!" Billy Joelhas normal pressure hydrocephalus. What is that, and what are symptoms? Joel's daughter Alexa Ray Joel, meanwhile,said in an Instagram post on May 24that her father is the "strongest and most resilient man I've ever known," and he is "entirely committed to making a full recovery with ongoing physical-therapy treatments as he continues to regain his strength." "The genuine care, empathy, and concern from everyone means so much to him ... it means a lot to me, too," she said. Joel canceled all of his upcoming performances as he shared news of his diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus. The singer is undergoing physical therapy and "has been advised to refrain from performing" during his recovery, a statement shared on his Instagram said. According to the Cleveland Clinic, normal pressure hydrocephalus occurs when fluid buildup inside or around the brain disrupts brain function. "That can affect several brain-related abilities, including thinking and concentrating, memory, movement and more," the clinic notes. "The symptoms of NPH look very much like those of dementia, but NPH is sometimes reversible." "I'm sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience," Joel said, "and thank you for understanding." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Billy Joel's wife Alexis Roderick on singer's brain disorder diagnosis
