Kathie Lee Gifford Hospitalized with Fractured Pelvis After Fall amid Hip Replacement Recovery (Exclusive)

The 70-year-old tells PEOPLE she suffered a fractured pelvis in two places and was hospitalized for over a week for physical therapy.

The former Today co-host, 70, says she suffered a fractured pelvis in two places and was hospitalized for over a week for physical therapy.

Gifford says she “moved 300 books by myself” during book signings in Nashville. “I weakened my body,” she says. “It’s my own fault.”

The next day, one of Gifford’s friends came by to pick her up. She hurried to the door and “just tripped,” Gifford says.

“It didn’t take much, because I was weak in that spot,” Gifford tells PEOPLE. “And the next thing you know, I am back in the hospital with a fractured pelvis, the front and the back. That’s more painful than anything I went through with the hip. The pelvis is unbelievably painful. But anyway, here I am.”

Gifford calls it a “humbling experience” and she chose to stay in the hospital for a full week because “I don’t trust myself.”

“You think you know your body and the next thing you know, your body changes when you get older,” Gifford says. “And as much as I don’t wanna think about it, I am.”

“It’s summer for everybody but me,” Gifford says. “But it’s OK. I’m going to get out to my little farm one of these days and stick my feet in my salt pool. The Lord is telling me it’s time to slow down. I’ve been running my whole life. The Lord is telling me, ‘You’ve planted a gazillion roses. Try smelling them.’ “