Claire Dawson
Al Roker, the beloved 'Today' anchor, was hospitalized in November 2022 due to blood clots in his legs, which spread to his lungs. He was admitted to the intensive care unit and spent weeks in and out of the hospital. Roker underwent a seven-hour surgery to treat two bleeding ulcers, and his gallbladder and part of his small intestine were also removed. He experienced complications and was re-admitted to the hospital multiple times, but eventually recovered and returned to the 'Today' show. Roker's health issues caused him to miss hosting the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the annual lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in 2022.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for hospitalisation | Blood clots in his legs that spread to his lungs |
| Date of first hospitalisation | November 2022 |
| Length of first hospital stay | One month |
| Date of discharge from first hospitalisation | 24 November 2022 (Thanksgiving Day) |
| Date of second hospitalisation | 25 November 2022 |
| Length of second hospital stay | Two weeks |
| Date of discharge from second hospitalisation | 8 December 2022 |
| Surgery | Seven-hour surgery to resection his colon, remove his gallbladder, and redo his duodenum (part of the small intestine) |
| Other procedures | Knee replacement surgery, physical therapy |
| Health issues | Internal bleeding, two bleeding ulcers, possibly COVID-19 in September |
| Age | 68 |
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What You'll Learn
Al Roker's blood clots
In November 2022, Al Roker was hospitalized due to blood clots in his legs, which spread to his lungs. This caused him to miss the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade for the first time in 27 years. He was discharged on Thanksgiving Day and was able to watch the parade on television from home. However, he was re-admitted to the hospital the next day due to complications.
Roker shared his health update on Instagram, revealing that he had been admitted to the hospital with a blood clot in his leg that had sent some clots into his lungs. He expressed gratitude for the terrific medical care he was receiving and thanked his well-wishers for their support.
During his initial hospitalization, Roker underwent a seven-hour surgery to address two bleeding ulcers, which required a resection of his colon, removal of his gallbladder, and a redo of his duodenum, a part of the small intestine. He experienced internal bleeding and faced a challenging recovery due to his age and the severity of his condition.
After his second hospitalization, Roker returned home and continued his recovery. He made his first virtual appearance on the TODAY show on December 12, providing an honest update on his progress. Roker acknowledged that it had been a difficult journey but expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support he received. He also shared that he was undergoing physical therapy and taking blood thinners as part of his recovery process.
Al Roker's health scare served as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of life and the importance of a positive attitude during challenging times. His recovery was marked by determination and gratitude, and he returned to hosting duties in 2023, including the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
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A seven-hour surgery
In November 2022, Al Roker was admitted to the hospital due to blood clots in his legs, which spread to his lungs. He was hospitalized for a month and underwent a seven-hour surgery during this time.
The seven-hour surgery was required because doctors discovered that, in addition to the blood clots, Roker had two bleeding ulcers. The surgery involved resection of his colon, removal of his gallbladder, and redoing his duodenum (a part of the small intestine). This major surgery was necessary to address the internal bleeding, which posed a serious threat to Roker's health.
Roker's health issues caused him to miss hosting the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade for the first time in 27 years. He was released from the hospital on Thanksgiving Day and was able to celebrate the holiday with his family. However, his recovery was not without challenges. Just 24 hours after being discharged, Roker was rushed back to the hospital due to complications.
During his time in the hospital, Roker's family was extremely concerned about his condition, and at one point, they feared they might lose him. His wife, Deborah Roberts, described their experience as "the worst roller coaster ride you have ever been on." Roker himself acknowledged the severity of his health issues and the impact of his age on his recovery.
The seven-hour surgery was a critical part of Roker's treatment, and it addressed the life-threatening issues caused by the bleeding ulcers and internal bleeding. After the surgery, Roker continued his recovery process, which included physical therapy to rebuild his strength. He returned to his work on the TODAY show, but his health remained a focus, with plans for further treatment and surgery for his knee.
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A health scare
In November 2022, Al Roker was admitted to the hospital due to blood clots in his legs, which spread to his lungs. He revealed on Instagram that he had a blood clot in his leg that sent some clots into his lungs. He was hospitalized for a month and unable to co-host the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade for the first time in 27 years. He was discharged on Thanksgiving Day and was able to watch the parade on TV. However, he was rushed back to the hospital the next day due to some complications.
During his second hospitalization, doctors discovered that Al had two bleeding ulcers, which required a seven-hour surgery to resection his colon, remove his gallbladder, and redo his duodenum, a part of the small intestine. He was finally released from the hospital on December 8, 2022, and shared an update on his recovery during a virtual appearance on the TODAY show. Al's wife, Deborah Roberts, and their family were a great source of support during his recovery, and he maintained a positive attitude throughout.
Al's health scare served as a reminder that life can turn on a dime, and he expressed gratitude for the excellent medical care he received. He also acknowledged the outpouring of prayers and well wishes from his fans and co-workers, who were thrilled to have him back on the show. Al's journey back to health was a challenging one, but with patience and positivity, he was able to return to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2023, a testament to his resilience and the support of those around him.
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Intensive care unit
Al Roker was admitted to the intensive care unit in November 2022 due to blood clots in his legs, which spread to his lungs. He was hospitalized for a month and underwent a seven-hour surgery to treat the issue. Roker's health issues also included internal bleeding, which doctors struggled to find the source of. He was finally released from the hospital on December 8, 2022, but his recovery was a long road, and he had to take time off from his work as a weatherman on the TODAY show.
During his first hospitalization, Roker shared updates on his condition with his Instagram followers. He revealed that he had been admitted to the hospital with a blood clot in his leg and that some clots had moved into his lungs. Roker expressed gratitude for the medical care he was receiving and assured his followers that he was on the road to recovery. However, just 24 hours after being discharged on Thanksgiving Day, Roker was rushed back to the hospital due to complications.
Upon his return to the hospital, Roker's co-host Hoda Kotb provided viewers with an update, stating that he was "resting and his doctors [were] keeping a close eye on him." She also conveyed Roker's gratitude for all the love, support, and well wishes he had received. Roker's health issues caused him to miss several significant events, including the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the annual lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.
Roker's health scare was a challenging experience for both him and his family. His wife, Deborah Roberts, described it as "the worst roller coaster ride you have ever been on," and at one point, the family feared they might lose him. However, Roker's positive attitude helped him through his recovery journey. He underwent physical therapy to rebuild his strength and continued to receive support from his family and co-workers.
The intensive care unit (ICU) is a specialized department within a hospital that provides critical care and monitoring for patients with severe and life-threatening illnesses or injuries. It is staffed by a dedicated team of healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, and respiratory therapists, who have expertise in treating critically ill patients. The ICU is equipped with advanced medical equipment and technologies to closely monitor patients' vital signs, provide respiratory support, and deliver life-saving treatments.
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Recovery and physical therapy
Al Roker's recovery and physical therapy journey was a long road, requiring patience and a positive attitude. After his hospitalisation in November 2022, Roker underwent a seven-hour surgery to address multiple health issues, including blood clots, internal bleeding, and two bleeding ulcers. He also had to undergo a colon resection, removal of his gallbladder, and a redo of his duodenum (part of the small intestine).
Upon his release from the hospital on December 8, 2022, Roker faced a challenging recovery process. He experienced significant physical discomfort and had to undergo intensive care in the surgical ICU. Roker's family, including his wife, Deborah Roberts, and their children, provided immense support during this difficult time. Roberts shared the frightening experience of almost losing her husband, expressing her gratitude for the medical team's life-saving efforts.
As part of his recovery, Roker engaged in physical therapy almost every day to rebuild his strength. He also continued to take blood thinners to manage his condition. By January 2023, Roker had returned to the "TODAY" show, where he openly discussed his health journey and expressed his gratitude for the support he received.
Roker's positive mindset played a crucial role in his recovery. He shared his determination to get better and move forward, adopting a life mantra from the movie "The Incredibles": "We get there when we get there." This attitude, along with the love and support of his family and medical team, contributed to his successful recovery and return to his role as a beloved television personality.
While the experience was challenging, Roker's resilience and the support of those around him helped him navigate the recovery process and regain his health.
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Frequently asked questions
Al Roker was initially hospitalized due to blood clots in his legs, which spread to his lungs.
It is unclear what treatment Al Roker received during his first hospital stay. However, he was discharged in time for Thanksgiving dinner with his family.
Yes, Al Roker was rushed back to the hospital a day after his initial release. It is unclear what complication led to his second hospitalization.
During his second hospital stay, doctors discovered that Al Roker had two bleeding ulcers. He underwent a seven-hour surgery to resection his colon, remove his gallbladder, and redo his duodenum, a part of the small intestine.
Al Roker has returned to his show and is doing well. However, he is still undergoing physical therapy to rebuild his strength and is taking blood thinners.
