Robin Roberts will be starting her medical leave from Good Morning America after this week's episodes are completed, and the hardest part for her is the time away from her four-legged friend. The anchor is headed into the hospital to begin preparing for a bone marrow transplant, and has sent her beloved dog, KJ, to be cared for elsewhere since he poses a risk to her compromised immune system.
Roberts tweeted that she “cried like a baby” after dropping off her dog with friends up in Maine. She told her Good Morning America audience this morning that it was incredibly hard for her to be separated from the dog who has been with her for 15 years. Because she will be in danger of serious illness from any sort of infection, the dog will have to stay away.
The announcement was made this morning that Friday will be Roberts’ last day on the air before she takes medical leave for the transplant, which is being performed to treat myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a bone marrow disease she was diagnosed with in June. She’ll check into the hospital on Tuesday the 4th where the process of preparing for the transplant will begin. Roberts’ sister will be donating the bone marrow for the procedure, according to USA Today. It will be about ten days before she is ready for the actual transplant.
Good Morning America plans to focus on “Robin’s journey” this week in preparation for her departure and treatment. Here’s hoping she recovers quickly and is reunited with KJ soon.
