Al Roker, the renowned weatherman for NBC’s Today show, has had a rough health journey.
He was lucky that his wife, Deborah Roberts, an ABC News senior national affairs reporter and contributor to 20/20, helped him get through it.
Roberts recently gave her husband a paperweight with the words “Learn to enjoy the beauty of an ‘ordinary day” as an inspirational reminder to embrace life’s simple joys and moments.
Roberts remarked that they are both working to discover joy in life’s minor details and make each day count.
Al Roker, the Today show’s renowned weatherman, and his family have had a, particularly trying few months. In early November, Roker was identified as having a severe condition in which blood clumps had moved from his leg to his lungs.
His stay at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center was around fourteen days. With this new health problem and the fact that Roker already had prostate cancer, his family was worried that he might be unable to handle the situation by 2020.
As Al Roker began to face the idea of his last marriage’s two children, Courtney (35) and Nick (20), losing their father, he became terrified.
He went to his longstanding doctor, Dr. Jahangir Rahman, for a complete checkup and tests after experiencing severe stomach discomfort in the middle of the night one November.
Thankfully, Al came out of it with a lucky second chance at life, despite his and his family’s concerns.
Doctors took Roberts to the hospital after discovering blood clots in his lungs that had originated in his leg veins. This was a terrible event for him, made worse by the discovery of internal bleeding in his belly.
Medical personnel examined the site of the hemorrhaging using various procedures such as CT scans and MRIs but could not establish its cause.
Dr. Felice Schnoll-Sussman and the staff at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center’s Jay Monahan Center for Gastrointestinal Health greeted Roker with a line of experts to ensure he got the best care possible during his first week of treatment.
Roberts spoke up for Roker and ensured he was well taken care of and had everything he needed to relax during his treatment.
During this challenging time, the medical team gave him comforting support and a sense of belonging, which made him feel safe.
When Al Roker was hospitalized, he was in a state of extreme weariness. His companion committed her time and energy to help him during his suffering, wanting to help him in every way she could.
Her work was difficult: she had to observe the exhaustion that destroyed her loved one personally. Al was finally discharged after nearly two weeks, but only on the condition that he follow up with his doctor and keep in touch with health care specialists.
Furthermore, his hospitalization was the result of a strenuous seven-hour procedure.
Due to dizziness, Roker was taken back to the hospital after the Thanksgiving holiday. Dr. Schnoll-Sussman determined that surgery was required since he was experiencing unusual bleeding.
The anxiety leading up to his operation was almost intolerable, especially for Roberts and their children, who were filled with nervous anticipation during the nearly seven-hour process.
Despite his fears, Roker knew deep down that despite being wheeled away for surgery. He would see them again shortly.
Roberts recalls being astounded by Roker’s tenacity during his rehabilitation.
While she kept a close eye on his vital signs and hoped for the best, he remained optimistic about the future, noting how he wanted to create a special turkey feast for Christmas based on a New York Times recipe.
His positive attitude over such a challenging ordeal encouraged her and boosted her courage.
Alison Roberts’ eyes twinkled with appreciation as she described Roker’s perseverance in adversity. She told how he had confronted each problem with unshakable tenacity and an unwavering spirit, leaving her deeply impressed.
She held his hand in the show’s green room and thought about how strong he was despite having blood tests over and over and other problems.
Roker congratulated her and joked that she could regret it one day, lightening the occasion with his trademark wit.
While some may have given up, his unrelenting perseverance enabled him to overcome hardship, an accomplishment that Alison witnessed as she watched him battle until triumph was attained.
Following Al Roker’s release from the hospital, several people, including Hoda Kotb, Savannah Guthrie, Jenna Bush, and numerous other staff and crew members, visited his New York City brownstone.
This was a memorable occasion for Al because Christmas was one of his favorite times.
Robin Roberts said this spontaneous get-together helped elevate his spirits and energize him. As he reunited with loved ones – Nick, Leila, Courtney, and his recently arrived sister – his cheeks began to flush with life again.
His brother also visited frequently. After all those months in the hospital, it felt like the celebratory occasion was precisely what he needed to feel alive again.
“It’s all good now,” Al said, referring to his feelings about his future.
