“I DIDN’T KNOW IF I’D MAKE IT,”  ‘Today’ Star Al Roker Shares, Inspiring Fans With His Courage and Powerful Message of Hope and RESILIENCE  HARROWING BATTLE

A year after his frightening battle with life-threatening blood clots, Al Roker posts a message reflecting on the support that he has received.

The longtime Today anchor was hospitalized in November 2022 after developing a blood clot in his leg. He later revealed that some clots had begun to develop in his lungs. Around a week after his initial release from the hospital, Roker was re-admitted for the same condition. He would stay in the hospital for an additional two weeks before he was released in December 2022.

Roker wasn’t able to return to Today until January 2023. While speaking to his Today co-stars, Roker recounted his turbulent two-month battle. “I really do feel good. I’m sure I’m going to collapse like a stone after this is over because this is the first work I’ve done,” Roker said. “It’s been a journey. Thank God for Deborah [his wife],” he continued. “She basically shielded me from a lot of this. I had no idea how sick I was, I am a living example of ignorance is bliss. I was able to put all my energy into just recuperating because I didn’t know how bad off I was.”

Al Roker Offers Thanks To His Support System

With his terrifying battle with blood clots behind him, Al Roker knows just how lucky he truly is. He has acknowledged that his bout with COVID in the fall of 2022 put him at higher risk for blood clots. According to Dr. Shruti Chaturvedi, an associate professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins Hospital, blood clots are a common complication following a COVID infection. “The risk of [blood clots] has increased after infection with COVID because it leads to an inflammatory response in the body and promotes blood clotting,” he says.

Roker isn’t taking his recovery for granted. The TV personality took to social media to reflect on where he was this time last year. “A year ago this morning, this was my view out my window at @nyphospital as I got ready to head home after a long slog in the hospital,” Roker wrote. “Thanks to my family, friends and all of you in helping me make this recovery.”

In a 2022 Instagram post, Roker shed some light on the medical crisis that he was facing. “So many of you have been thoughtfully asking where I’ve been,” he wrote on his Instagram. “Last week I was admitted to the hospital with a blood clot in my leg which sent some clots into my lungs.”

As Roker continued his recovery from his home, he had the opportunity to speak with Today about his progress. “It’s been a tough slog. I’m not gonna deny this has been the hardest one yet. You know I’ve had my share of surgery,” he told his Today co-stars. “But it gives you a profound sense of gratitude for this outpouring of prayers and thanks. I’m a very fortunate person.”

Roker also acknowledged how fortunate it was to receive the quality of care to battle the blood clots. “I’ve got a number of issues, but I feel good. I feel strong. Every day, I feel a little bit better. There’s gonna be a little bit of a slog, but there are a lot of people who have to deal with a lot more with a lot fewer resources,” he said. “So I’m very fortunate and very blessed to be able to have the resources I’ve had.”