Al Roker Reflects on His 'Long Slog' in the Hospital One Year After Health Emergency

Sammi Burke
·2 min read
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TODAY -- Pictured: Al Roker on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 -- (Photo by: Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images)

Al Roker is looking back on his lengthy round of hospital stays during the holiday season of 2022, one year after finally being released.

The beloved meteorologist suffered a series of health complications during the month of Nov. 2022, causing him to be in and out of the hospital over the course of several weeks before things finally settled down and he was able to be discharged on Dec. 8, 2022.

Today, he's remembering his last morning in the hospital, which started with a brilliant sunrise, as seen in a photo he snapped out his window.

"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," he wrote on Instagram, also including a photo of himself and his wife, Deborah Roberts. "Thanks to my family, friends and all of you in helping me make this recovery."

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A post shared by Al Roker (@alroker)

Roker was initially hospitalized prior to Thanksgiving last year after suffering from pulmonary embolism—otherwise known as blood clots in his lungs. "After some medical whack-a-mole, I am so fortunate to be getting terrific medical care and on the way to recovery," he shared with concerned viewers after returning home.

He was released on Thanksgiving but, unfortunately, had to be rushed back to the emergency room the next day. Just over a week later, he was well enough to return home once more.

He took the month to recuperate in the comfort of his own home before returning to The Today Show on Jan. 6, 2023—nearly two months after he'd last been seen on fans' screens—where he joked about how nice it was to be able to wear pants again.

Later in the year, Roker had to step away again to have his knee replacement replaced, which caused some additional complications, so we're glad to see him doing so well today!

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