Al Roker says his family protected him from knowing how 'severe' his health issues were

A year after undergoing multiple surgeries for various health issues, Al Roker is grateful that his family shielded him from knowing the extent of the complications he'd experienced.

"One of the things that I have a new appreciation (for), late last year, during Thanksgiving and Christmas — it's no secret I had a severe medical issue. And to be completely (honest), I almost died," Roker said on an episode of the "Your Mama's Kitchen" podcast that released Wednesday.

"I didn't know it at the time, but (wife) Deborah and Leila, my middle girl, were really instrumental in keeping that away from me so I can concentrate" on recovering, he told host Michele Norris. "But I missed Thanksgiving. Almost missed Christmas. And I forgot how important those touchstone moments are."

The longtime "Today" show weatherman, 69, was hospitalized last November for blood clots in his leg that traveled to his lungs and had to step away from the cameras again in December to treat two bleeding ulcers: "I went in for one operation, I got four free," he joked when he returned to the "Today" show in January after two months away.

"I felt, in a sense, badly because I ruined Thanksgiving for the family, and I was not going to let that happen for Christmas," Roker told Norris. "It was important to me, and it gave me something to push for. And I made Christmas dinner."

Al Roker found out his daughter was pregnant with his 1st grandchild while in the hospital

Keeping their conversation about the holidays lighthearted, Roker revealed the moment that his wife, ABC News journalist Deborah Roberts, realized he was going to be just fine.

"I had another procedure, and coming out of the anesthesia, (Roberts) was there and she says, 'How do you feel?' and I say, 'I saw this recipe in the New York Times Cooking for a spatchcock mayonnaise-based turkey. I'm going to make that for Christmas,'" Roker said. "And she thought, 'OK, I think he's going to make it.'"

Roker also revealed on "The Kelly Clarkson Show" this week that he received news that his oldest daughter, Courtney, was pregnant with his first grandchild, Sky, while he was hospitalized.

"I think more than anything else, knowing that she was coming along over this last year" aided Roker's recovery, Roberts said. "Because it's been a progression, but you've just gotten stronger and stronger."

She added, "So now when he drops his underwear and his stuff on the floor or whatever and I want to get upset with him, I'm just like, 'You Know …'"

"I could have been dead," Roker interjected. "It's your fault — you saved me, sorry!"

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Al Roker's health issues were so 'severe', his family didn't tell him