Robin Roberts returned to the “Good Morning America” set on Thursday, January 24, for the first time since undergoing a bone marrow transplant in September. The set visit was part of a behind-the-scenes test run for her return to the anchor chair.
Roberts appeared at the studio at 5 a.m., according toABC News. The newswoman explained last week that her doctors approved of her doing several “dry runs” in the studio as part of the next phase in her recovery in order to return to her duties at “Good Morning America.”
“What a thrill to be back at ‘GMA”s Times Square Studio this morning and see the best folks in the world, my ‘GMA’ family,” Roberts said according to the news site. “I can’t wait to get back to the anchor chair in a few weeks.”
Roberts has been on medical leave from “Good Morning America” since late last summer and underwent a bone marrow transplant in September to treat myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a rare blood disorder. She has also been through chemotherapy. She was released from a New York hospital in November.
Roberts also Tweeted about being back on set (with a picture of herself and Lara Spencer attached) writing, “Thankful Thursday. Took a ‘test drive’ w/ my @GMA fam this morn. Felt great to be back in the studio.”
Roberts first announced her plans to return to “Good Morning America” earlier this month when she revealed that her latest bone marrow test showed no abnormalities. At the time, the newswoman said she hoped to return sometime in February but did not specify a date.
“My doctors want me to see how many people I actually come in contact with. How my body reacts to the stimulation, that’s code word for stress, of being in the studio environment,” she said at the time.
“My skin is very sensitive and so we have to see how it reacts to the studio lights. My vision is still a little blurry from the treatment,” she added. “All of this is getting better day by day so that is the next step.”
The 52-year-old has been posting updates about her health and she was reunited with her beloved Jack Russell terrier KJ at the end of December, just as she celebrated the milestone of marking 100 days of recovery following her bone marrow transplant.
Roberts made a prominent public appearance on December 21 — she attended the wedding of “Good Morning America” weather anchor Sam Champion. He and boyfriend Rubem Robierb exchanged vows at his Manhattan apartment. ABC released a photo of the happy couple with Roberts and their colleagues Lara Spencer and Josh Elliot.