Al Roker Credits Power of Prayer in Recovery Process
By Movieguide® Contributor
TODAY show anchor Al Roker and his wife credited the power of prayer for his successful recovery when he returned to the program on Friday after dealing with an ongoing “life threatening” medical crisis since November.
His wife Deborah Roberts, who also appeared on the set, called this time a “frightening journey” but believed that prayer played a major role in her husband’s recovery.
“There was a prayer circle like you wouldn’t believe. Not only from you [TODAY show co-hosts], my colleagues, our family and friends, [but] perfect strangers,” she said. “The amount of good will toward [Roker], I will never, ever, ever forget.”
Roker added that he could “really feel” the prayers from all those hoping for his quick recovery.
He also believed that family and his wife made “all the difference” in his healing process.
During his return appearance to the TODAY show, Roker also shared some details about his heath issues.
“I had this internal bleeding going on. I lost half my blood…And they were trying to figure out where it was. And finally, they went in, did the surgery. I had two bleeding ulcers,” he explained to his TODAY show co-hosts.
Movieguide® previously reported on an Instagram post where Roker discussed some of his health complications: “So many of you have been thoughtfully asking where I’ve been,” he wrote. “Last week I was admitted to the hospital with a blood clot in my leg which sent some clots into my lungs. After some medical whack-a-mole, I am so fortunate to be getting terrific medical care and on the way to recovery.”
In his most recent update on the TODAY show, he explained that his doctors needed to resection his colon, remove his gall bladder, and more.
“I went in for one operation and got four free,” Roker joked.
Roberts added, “It’s not lost on us that this is a major, major thing for Al to be here. He is a living, breathing miracle. He really is. And I’m not overstating it, I don’t think. Al was a very, very, very sick man and I think most people did not know that.”
Co-host Savannah Guthrie celebrated his return, saying “Al, to say we have missed you doesn’t even begin to describe it. It is nothing without you here.”
Checking in with #AlRoker and @DebRobertsABC about Al’s health journey and recovery. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/4Mo6O0g4RF
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) January 6, 2023
Movieguide® previously reported on Roker’s health struggles:
Al Roker made his first appearance on the TODAY show after being hospitalized for blood clots in November.
Roker made a virtual appearance on the show, video-calling in from his kitchen. The meteorologist said he’s recovering and getting stronger each day, and expressed his “profound sense of gratitude” for all the messages of support and prayers he has received from family, friends, and fans.
“It has been a tough slog, I’m not going to lie, it has been the hardest one yet and you know I have had my share of surgeries,” he shared. “But I feel good. I feel strong. Every day is a little better than the last, and I made dinner last night.”
He continued, “I just feel like there’s gonna be a little bit of a slog. But there are people who have to deal with a lot more with a lot fewer resources. I’m very fortunate and very blessed to have the resources.”
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