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Al Roker has stared down hurricanes, intense blizzards, and notable weather phenomena, only to emerge and deliver the report to Today viewers. Nevertheless, in late 2022, the apparently resilient television figure was caught off guard when he was hospitalized due to blood clots. “It’s been a difficult grind, I won’t lie,” Al expressed during a December 12, 2022, appearance on Today, marking his initial return to the show since the health scare. “It’s been the most challenging one yet, and as you know, I’ve experienced my fair share of procedures.” A few months after his return following the operation, Al shared insights into his well-being in an interview in October 2023.
Al wasn’t exaggerating. Throughout his life, he has faced numerous illnesses and undergone several operations. In May 2023, Al provided an update after having knee surgery on May 9, 2023. The well-liked weatherman had a “complete knee replacement” done. “It’s rigid,” Al remarked about his knee. “[The surgery] was somewhat more complex. It was termed a revision – essentially a replacement of a replacement. So, they were required to enter, remove components, and install new ones.” Al expressed his gratitude to the medical team for aiding in his recovery, noting that the downtime allowed him the opportunity to catch up on shows like Poker Face, The Mandalorian, and more.
Al also mentioned that his recovery entails “three days each week of physical therapy. That will continue for a few months. I’m still unsure – possibly within the next two weeks, I’ll be back.” Al returned to Today following his knee operation on May 30, 2023, and he affirmed that the procedure was successful.
Al is back with us this morning! 😁☀️ pic.twitter.com/D6eyRgCazL
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) May 30, 2023
Furthermore, he had a gastric bypass in 2012, carpal tunnel surgery in 2018, shoulder surgery and hip replacement surgery in 2019, and another procedure on his shoulder in 2020. In November 2020, he revealed that he received a prostate cancer diagnosis. “It’s a situation of good news and bad news,” he stated on Today. “The good news is we caught it early. The not-so-great news is that it’s somewhat aggressive, so I’ll be taking some time off to address this.” Al underwent surgery to eliminate the cancer, and he stated soon after the procedure that “it was successful.” The physician indicated that there were no remaining indications of cancer in Al, but they would continue to monitor him.
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Therefore, when Al was diagnosed with blood clots in 2022, it caused concern among many. Thankfully, he has recovered, but what specifically occurred to him? Discover the details below.
Al Roker Was Diagnosed With Blood Clots
Al revealed on Instagram in November 2022 that he had been admitted to the hospital due to blood clots. “Many of you have kindly inquired about my whereabouts,” he captioned a photograph of a flower bouquet. “Last week, I was hospitalized with a blood clot in my leg that sent clots into my lungs. Following some medical intervention, I am fortunate to be receiving exceptional medical care and am on the path to recovery. Thank you for all the well wishes and prayers; I hope to see you soon. Have an excellent weekend, everyone.”
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Al was discharged from the hospital on Nov. 24, two days after revealing the diagnosis. However, he was urgently transported back to the hospital on November 25, with Page Six reporting that he was “taken from his residence on a stretcher.”
The report heightened concerns regarding Al’s health. Al’s blood clot issue resulted in his absence from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. For 27 years, Al had covered the parade for NBC, but his health problems prevented him from participating in 2022.
“For the past 27 parades, at this moment, Savannah, we would turn to Al Roker, who is our Today Show colleague and our dear friend,” Hoda Kotb said to her co-host, Savannah Guthrie. “However, as many of you are aware, Al is recovering, and he’s recovering very well from a recent medical issue. We want to express our love, Al. We wonder if you’re watching, but we wish you a complete recovery.”
At the beginning of December 2022, Al disclosed that he was still in the hospital. “I hope to be returning home soon, but when your spirit wanes, you have the opportunity to witness that and rejuvenate. May God bless you all for all the prayers and well wishes for me and my family,” he captioned a photo of the sunset in New York City. He returned home on Dec. 08, and a few days afterward, he appeared in his kitchen on Today and provided everyone with an update.
“There’s simply a certain degree of weakness. I’m engaging in physical therapy and occupational therapy daily. I simply need to regain my strength,” he stated. “But I feel well. I feel robust. I feel somewhat improved each day. I prepared dinner last night. There will be a bit of a grind, but many individuals must contend with considerably more with fewer resources.”
Al made his triumphant return on January 6, 2023. “My heart is simply overflowing,” Al said. “I’m immensely pleased to see all of you, the crew, and everyone. Currently, I’m fueled by adrenaline. I’m simply thrilled to be here.”
What Are Blood Clots?
Blood clots are “gel-like masses of blood. They are advantageous when they develop in response to an injury or a cut, obstructing the injured blood vessel, which halts bleeding,” according to the Mayo Clinic. “Certain blood clots form within your veins for no apparent reason and do not dissolve naturally. These might necessitate medical care, especially if they are situated in your legs or in more critical areas, such as your lungs and brain. Several conditions can trigger this type of blood clot.”
Blood clots can arise from an injury, or they can manifest inside a blood vessel lacking obvious damage. Upon formation, they can migrate to other areas of the body, leading to severe conditions such as heart failure, stroke, pulmonary embolism, and deep vein thrombosis.
They can be treated through blood-thinning medications, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Modifications to your lifestyle – increased exercise, reduction of blood pressure, dietary adjustments – can also contribute to preventing blood clots from forming.
How Long Was Al Roker Sick?
Al has been immunocompromised for several years following his numerous surgeries and his cancer diagnosis in 2020. Concerning his blood clots, he mentioned how they likely emerged after he contracted COVID in September 2022. “I had two complicated issues,” he shared during his first day back following the hospitalizations.
“I had blood clots that they believe arose after I contracted COVID in September,” he added. “I experienced internal bleeding, losing half my blood. They were attempting to ascertain its location. They entered, performed the surgery, and it ultimately resulted in two bleeding ulcers. They were required to resect the colon and eliminate my gall bladder. I entered for one operation, and I received four for free!”
How Is Al Roker Doing Today?
Al seems to be doing exceptionally well, but he alluded to his potential retirement from NBC during a January 2026 interview with People. He stated that he intended to “continue going” with his job, but “someone at NBC” might decide his retirement for him.
“It’s not overlooked that this is a significant matter for Al to be present. He is a living, breathing marvel. He truly is. I’m not exaggerating,” stated Al’s wife, Deborah Roberts, during his first day back on Today. “I don’t believe Al was a severely, gravely ill man, and I don’t believe most people are aware of that. “He remained a medical puzzle for weeks. It was the most turbulent, frightening experience we have ever endured.”
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On April 17, 2023, Al provided an update on his health. “Hey, everyone,” he said while walking in Central Park. “I trust you are having an enjoyable afternoon. The weather is magnificent, and I’m here in the park, accumulating my steps, taking my time.” Al was as cheerful as ever, exercising while promoting the Start Today Wellness Get Together in Sonoma Valley.
Soon after, he shared his “wellness routine” for the event with fans. NBC communicated to ET on April 21 that the event would include “enlightening discussions, wellness-centered activities, and outdoor excursions.” Al himself indicated that walking and sleeping are elements of the regimen that has facilitated his path to wellness.
“Well, my physician instructed me that he wanted me to walk five miles per day, and to call him at the week’s end,” he communicated to the outlet. “I called him; he asked, ‘Where are you?’ I answered, ‘I’m 35 miles from home!’” Following such exertion, healthy sleeping habits are also essential to a beneficial routine, he added.
“One thing that I believe we all grapple with, and perhaps more so than I because they have younger children, is sleep,” he expressed to ET. “Do you recognize the significance of adequate sleep for your mental well-being, your physical health? Your body heals, your mind recovers when you sleep. It’s impossible to catch up on sleep, and that has been my primary objective, I believe, at the start of the new year: to attempt to obtain a minimum of six to seven hours of sleep per day.”
Ultimately, he contributed something for the soul. “What I will convey is that one of the lessons I’ve learned over the past several months is the power of positive thought and the power of prayer,” Al communicated to the outlet elsewhere in the interview. “The multitude of prayers that have been directed toward me and my family, for Deborah and my children, I am aware made a substantial difference. And upon experiencing a health scare, you truly recognize that you cannot take it for granted. Consequently, I attempt to eat somewhat better [and] exercise somewhat more.”
Al’s wife Deborah discussed the health scare during an interview on The View on May 2, 2023. “He would not be alive without the doctors. It was a profoundly frightening experience for my family. The most frightening experience we have ever undergone. He was severely, gravely ill, but thankfully, through prayer and support, family and tribes of friends, as well as doctors and excellent nurses, he is on the path to recovery,” she stated.
Deborah continued, revealing that he was feeling considerably better, even joking about becoming irritating after the recovery. “In fact, he started to drive me crazy once more, and he said, ‘This is what you prayed for! I’m back!’” she said. “He’s progressing well. Thank you for asking,”
Now that Al has been back for numerous months, he appears to have made a complete recovery. During a Halloween interview with Entertainment Tonight, when he was asked about his well-being, he disclosed what inspired him to continue fighting. “I’m doing fantastic, exceptionally well. What’s been motivating me is my new granddaughter,” he said.
How Is Al’s Knee Now?
Following the operation, Al seemed to be in high spirits and was even smiling in a May 10, 2023, Instagram video he shared of himself walking with a walker, as seen below. “Up and walking this morning on the #newknee #stepbystep,” he wrote.
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His wife, Deborah, once more updated fans regarding Al’s health on Sunday, May 21, 2023 — this time, it was about his knee. “Thank you all immensely for being so concerned about him and so interested in his well-being,” she stated during an Instagram Live session. “As many of you know, he underwent a knee re-replacement, so a knee that had been replaced many years ago encountered problems and had to be re-replaced.”
“It renders it slow-paced and somewhat tougher. It was a more challenging operation, so it’s somewhat more difficult to rebound from, but he’s progressing fairly well, just moving a little bit slowly,” she said, ensuring she did not sugarcoat the situation.
Speaking on behalf of her husband, she added, “He simply wishes to thank everyone who has inquired about him. Thank you all immensely; you have all been so gracious, so generous, and simply so caring and compassionate towards my family over these past several months as we’ve navigated through a few challenges.”
Deborah also revealed that Al is certainly attempting to return to work as soon as feasible — and is even imposing more pressure on himself than she is comfortable with. “Al is impatient to try to return to work, but the physician simply desires him to proceed slowly so that he can continue to heal effectively,” she continued. “So, on behalf of Al and our family, thank you immensely, and I’m certain he’ll be appearing soon.”
Al received a heartfelt welcome back on Today from his co-anchors Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb on May 30. Al joked that he has “a new wheel” following his surgery. “We’re utilizing it,” he said. “It’s all well. Good to see you both. And good to see you folks.”