On Monday, Al Roker virtually visited the Today show to give his coworkers an update on his ongoing rehabilitation.
After spending 4 weeks in the hospital for treatment for blood clots in his legs and lungs, the 68-year-old weather man made a virtual appearance on the NBC morning show by dialling in from his kitchen.
Roker admitted to Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Craig Melvin, and Dylan Dreyer that “it’s been a long slog.” “I’ve had a lot of operations, but this one has been the worst thus far. However, it makes you feel incredibly appreciative for this outpouring of prayers and thanks. I’m incredibly fortunate.”
“I feel good and powerful. I also feel a little bit better every day “He continued by saying that he prepared Sunday night’s dinner.
That does not imply that Roker will soon return to television. Roker said that he needed a bit more time to recover when asked when he would be going back to work.
“For every week you spend in the hospital, you lose a certain amount of muscle mass, and I was there for four weeks. Thus, there is only a limited level of weakness “Roker stated that he receives daily physical and occupational therapy. “I simply need to regain my strength. I have to delay it since in the interim, I was considering replacing my knee in January. I therefore have a number of problems.”
Roker stated, “I just feel like it’s going to be kind of a slog because a lot other people have to deal with a lot more with a lot less resources.” I feel really fortunate and blessed to have these resources.
This morning, we’re checking in with @alroker! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/a3g67OeSDH
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) December 12, 2022
Roker thanked his Today family for visiting him in the hospital in other places in his update. He made fun of Kotb, “You guys have been amazing,” he added. “Hoda was given the title of honorary doctor! She would actually appear. She pulled a Houdini and would simply be there. I’m not a staff person, therefore don’t pay me any attention.”
He continued by thanking his doctor and “all the great nurses” on his medical staff at New York Presbyterian Hospital.
He remarked, “I have many things and people to be grateful for, not the least of which is you, our today show family.
Roker has been accompanied by his wife Deborah Roberts, 62, and children Courtney, 35, and Leila, 24, at home. Son Nick, 20, “is going to come home from college very soon,” according to Roker, who also mentioned that his brother and sister-in-law have visited.
Roker added that Roberts has been especially helpful as she has questioned medical professionals about her husband’s illness. “You have any questions, they ask. She then produces a list of roughly 20 questions “said Roker. “The doctor then asks, “You?” I reply, “No!””
Since 1996, Roker has served as Today’s primary weather anchor. Prior to that, from 1990 to 1995, Roker filled in as a replacement weathercaster for the late Willard Scott before his semiretirement.
Since his previous appearance on the Nov. 4 show, he has been missing from Today for several weeks. The weatherman was initially admitted to the hospital for treatment of blood clots in his leg and lungs, was released a few weeks later, and then was readmitted after Thanksgiving.
Because of his health, Roker was unable to attend Wednesday’s traditional Christmas Tree Lighting at Rockefeller Center and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which was his first in 27 years. However, he announced on Instagram on December 8 that he was once more discharged from the hospital.
He posted a number of pictures of himself and his family along with the phrase “Home!” on Instagram. “So very appreciative to family, friends, the medical community, the @todayshow family, and all of your thoughts and prayers,” she said.
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On the Dec. 9 broadcast, his Today coworkers honoured his comeback by starting the section with the theme song from the 1983 television series The A-Team, which was again played on Monday before Roker’s virtual visit.
Earlier this week, Guthrie said, “He likes [this song].” “We can hear it coming from his office every morning. So this morning, Al, we’re playing it for you.”
The Today team then stated that “everyone has been inquiring about” Roker, including many of the people who gather in front of 30 Rockefeller Plaza each morning to watch the broadcast. Guthrie remarked, “We have so many signs, like, ‘We miss you Al,’ ‘We love you Al. “He’ll return shortly, and we share his sentiments. He will feel good and we want him to take his time. But he is loved by us, and he will return soon.”
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Today has been giving regular updates on his health even though he hasn’t been on viewers’ screens. Even their 2022 digital holiday card gave him a nice shout-out.
Earlier this month, Kotb said on air, “Al and his family want everyone to know how appreciative they are for all the love, the support, and the well wishes,” to which Melvin replied, “We’ll see you back here soon, my friend.”
Weekdays at 7 a.m. ET, Today premieres on NBC.
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