TODAY show weatherman Al Roker has been battling his health for over a month now. He mysteriously disappeared from The Today Show for about a week before mentioning where he was. After enough fans expressed concern about his health, he broke that news that he had been hospitalized for blood clots, and his coworkers wished him well on TODAY.
On Thanksgiving, Roker was scheduled to be on air at The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, but for the 1st time in 27 years, he missed seeing the parade in person; however, it was still a good day for Roker. He was released from the hospital and able to spend the holiday with his family.
Then, just days later, Roker returned to the hospital once more. Instead of attending the Rockefeller Center tree lighting ceremony, he was in the hospital focusing on his health.
Now, things seem to be looking up for the 63-year-old weatherman. He has been released from the hospital once again. While he’s not quite ready to return to TODAY, he is on the mend and is focusing on regaining his strength.
After being released from the hospital for a second time, Roker wrote on Instagram, “Home! So incredibly grateful to family, friends, medical folks, @todayshow family and all your thoughts and prayers.”
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On The TODAY Show, Roker joined the show remotely as Hoda Kotb announced that he was “home from the hospital sitting in his kitchen.” His coworkers cheered for him as he smiled widely to the camera.
Roker gave an update on his life at this moment in time. He said, “It’s just good to be home.” He explained that he’s happy to be home with his family, and he also expressed gratitude to see his coworkers again.
Roker also gave a shout-out to Kotb for “coming by the hospital.” He joked, “Hoda was actually, I think, named as an honorary doctor. She would literally show up. She did a ‘Ho-dini,’ the way she would just be there.”
All joking aside, Roker got serious about his time in the hospital. He called his health battle “a tough slog.” He added, “This has been the hardest one yet, and you know I’ve had my share of surgeries.”
Despite the difficult health battle, Roker expressed gratitude saying, “I’m a very fortunate person.”
Kotb asked Roker when the doctors think he might be able to return to work. Roker didn’t give an exact answer, but he explained that he lost muscle mass while in the hospital, and he’s “doing physical therapy every day, occupational therapy. I’ve gotta just get my strength back.” He added, “Every day I feel a little bit better.”
Roker went on to praise the doctors, nurses and medical staff at New York Presbyterian hospital where he spent his hospital stay. He called them all “terrific.”
When do you think Roker will return to The Today Show? Do you think he will end up having to return to the hospital again?
