Supporting a Partner Through a Health Challenge
- ABC’s Deborah Roberts has come to the aid of her “sweet” husband Al Roker once again this time for his knee replacement surgery.
- Roberts also took care of Roker through his prostate cancer battle and his complications with blood clots.
- Having a supportive partner by your side through a health challenge, like Al Roker does, can be extremely beneficial for patients, our experts say.
- Roker lovingly said he “wouldn’t be alive” without the support of his wife.
The anchor, 68, married ABC News Senior National Affairs Correspondent Deborah Roberts, 62, in 1995. Since reciting vows, their commitment to supporting each other through life’s challenges has been put to the test time and time again most recently with Roker’s third knee replacement surgery.
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“Up and walking this morning on the #newknee #stepbystep thanks to @drdavidmayman Wearing a negative pressure pump to help facilitate wound healing,” he wrote in an Instagram caption May 10.
Just yesterday, Roker’s caregiver and number one fan unsurprisingly made a lovely post for her husband to share her support as he continues to recover.
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“Wednesday wonder,” Roberts wrote on Instagram. “Part 2 of health journey for my sweet @alroker So grateful for talented medical team who got him back on his feet with a new knee and new sense of confidence after such a major challenge.
“Moving forward with #grit #gratitude and #grace Humbled by all the good wishes and #prayer and the blessing of good #healthcare”
Al Roker’s Health Battles
Unfortunately for Al Roker, knee replacement surgeries have not been his only health battles. He was forced to take time off of work just last year to get treatment for dangerous blood clots in his lungs and legs. Thankfully, his efforts to stay fit by walking helped him achieve a speedy recovery before returning to work in January 2023.
"My doctor said the physical condition I was in because of the walking because of the cardio that probably helped save my life," he said. "Whatever you do to start moving, to start getting up and doing stuff it doesn't matter how much or how little as long as you're doing something that makes a big difference."
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Then, in November 2020, Roker shared that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
"It's a good news-bad news kind of thing," Roker told TODAY. "Good news is we caught it early. Not great news is that it's a little aggressive, so I'm going to be taking some time off to take care of this."
Thankfully, a radical prostatectomy which involved the removal of his prostate along with some surrounding tissue and lymph nodes proved to be an effective form of treatment, and Roker has been able to use his experience as a cancer survivor to educate others about the disease and advocating for their health.
"My message is to try to find the advocate you need, the help you need," Roker previously told SurvivorNet. "Don't take no for an answer, and know that there are people who want to help. There are organizations that are willing to help, but don't give up."
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Just months before revealing his prostate cancer diagnosis, he also had shoulder replacement surgery because of joint pain in his right shoulder.
“It’s gotten to the point where I can’t even sleep at night,” he said. “It’s not bad during the day, but at night it’s an intense pain that literally wakes me up. For the last month, I’ve only been sleeping about two or three hours a night, which even for me, is a little bit less [than I need].”
In the years prior to that, Roker underwent hip replacement surgery, carpal tunnel surgery and bypass surgery. Needless to say, he’s been through quite a lot. But having his supportive wife by his side through it all has made a huge difference.
“I wouldn't be alive without her,” he told Page Six earlier this year.
Having a Supportive Partner Through a Health Battle
Facing any kind of health battle can make you feel isolated and alone, but it’s important to know that’s not the case. And if having a supportive partner by your side, like Al Roker did, is an option, then that’s great. Don’t be afraid to lean into it as much as you need while still respecting that they need to take care of themselves too.
"Going through [cancer] treatment is a very vulnerable and emotionally exhausting experience," licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Marianna Strongin wrote in a column for SurvivorNet. "Noticing what you have strength for and what is feeling like too much… [is] extremely important to pay attention to as you navigate treatment."
Actress Jill Kargman can attest to the value of a supportive partner during a health battle. During her melanoma journey, she saw her relationship with her husband strengthen.
Jill Kargman on Relationships and Cancer
"I think cancer is a great way to find out if you're with the love of your life or a shithead," she said. "I think it presses the fast forward button on getting to the bottom of that answer, because a lot of people in middle age are kind of at a crossroads, waiting for their kids to fly the coop.
"I think if you're with someone who is not supportive and kind of emotionally checked out or doesn't tell you you're still beautiful with that, this might not be your person."
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