The View co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin has disclosed that her two-month-old son, Justin Patrick Jr., required surgery following a health emergency. Speaking on The View podcast on Monday, Griffin revealed that her son underwent a "major operation" over the weekend, as reported by People. The baby, whom she shares with her husband Justin Griffin, spent time in the intensive care unit (ICU) after the procedure.
Griffin’s Emotional Account
Griffin explained that she chose not to disclose details about the surgery to avoid becoming emotional. "My son ended up needing a major operation. I'm actually not going to get into the details only because I will just turn into a puddle talking about it, but he had to get a surgery this weekend," she said. "So we spent the weekend in the ICU with him." The co-host, whose show has faced behind-the-scenes drama recently, admitted she kept the surgery private beforehand and spent the week praying for her son's safety.
Successful Recovery
Griffin expressed relief at the successful outcome, stating, "And thank the Lord, it went beyond well. The doctor said he's doing even better than expected, hitting every milestone. He's going to be great." She added that her son's recovery was so swift that he would likely never know about the surgery. "There'll never be signs or anything," she said. "He's better, literally less than 24 hours, 12 hours after the surgery. He's smiling, flirting with the nurses. He's totally his father's son."
Magical Moment After Surgery
Griffin recounted a touching moment with her son after the operation. "I came in at three in the morning. I'd gotten up from the little cot my husband and I were sleeping on together, go to the bathroom and come back, and he saw," she said. "He caught my eyes because he was awake and he giggled, and I was like, 'It's the happiest moment of my life. He's OK, he recognizes mama.'" She emphasized that her son is "not even three months yet" and that she loves him with "every fiber" of her being, adding she would sacrifice her own life to keep him safe.
Challenging Experience
Seeing her son in such a vulnerable state was the most difficult experience of her life. "To watch a baby be helpless, but also have to entrust him into someone else's hands was like ... it took every amount of strength that I have just to get through it all," Griffin said. She praised the medical team and expressed gratitude for her husband's support, noting the importance of a strong partner during trying times. The couple married in November 2021 and welcomed their son in February.
Return to The View
Griffin's co-host, Whoopi Goldberg, announced the baby's birth on The View in February, noting he weighed 7 pounds and was 19.5 inches long. Griffin returned to the show on April 13, joking she was a "human lighter" after giving birth. "Little Justin is the most magical thing. All of you who are moms told me," she said. "They said your brain chemistry changes overnight, and it is so true. My world just feels more magical and full, and I'm just so grateful to him."
