Mary Lou Retton says she’s “grateful” to be alive after docs almost put her on life assist.
The earlier Olympic gymnast sat down with Hoda Kotb for her first interview since being hospitalized for a unusual sort of pneumonia in October 2023.
“That’s extreme, and that’s life, and I’m so grateful to be proper right here,” Retton, 55, talked about in a sneak peek clip from the interview, which might air Monday on “Within the current day.”
“I’m blessed to be proper right here because of there was a time as soon as they’d been about to position me on life assist.”
The interview was carried out at Retton’s dwelling in Boerne, Texas, the place she has been recovering after a month-long hold throughout the intensive care unit.
The “Dancing With the Stars” alum is at current using a transportable oxygen gear as she continues to recuperate.
“I actually really feel akin to you’re in a extremely weak state,” Kotb, 59, instructed Retton, who replied, “Very lots so. I’m very private and to return out and discuss it … typically my interviews are, ‘Oh positive, it felt good to win the Olympics!’”
Retton was joined by her eldest daughter, Shayla Schrepfer, for the emotional sit-down. The adorned Olympian can be mom to daughters McKenna, Skyla and Emma, whom she shares with ex-husband Shannon Kelley.
Retton’s nicely being struggles had been revealed once more in October when McKenna launched by means of social media that her mom was “stopping for her life” and throughout the ICU as a consequence of a unusual sort of pneumonia. The family organize a Spotfund account to help with the medical payments.
“My excellent mom, Mary Lou, has a extremely unusual sort of pneumonia and is stopping for her life. She isn’t able to breathe on her private. She’s been throughout the ICU for over per week now,” McKenna outlined on behalf of her and her sisters.
“Out of respect for her and her privateness, I can’t disclose all particulars. Nonetheless, I’ll disclose that she not insured. We ask that ought to you would possibly help in any strategy, that 1) you PRAY! and a pair of) do you have to would possibly help us with funds for the hospital bill.”
The family has raised over $450,000 of their preliminary $50,000 goal.
Retton beforehand revealed by means of Instagram on Oct. 30, 2023 that she was out of the hospital and on the mend at dwelling.
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“I’m with family persevering with to slowly get nicely and staying very optimistic as I do know this restoration is an prolonged and sluggish course of,” she wrote partly on the time.
“When the time is appropriate, I will be sharing additional particulars about my nicely being factors and hope I can help others who would possibly face the similar battle as me. I actually such as you all.”
Whereas Retton has made quite a lot of achievements by means of the years, she is best acknowledged for making historic previous on the 1984 Summer season Olympics in Los Angeles by turning into the first American to win an individual all-around gold medal.
She was later named “Sportswoman of the 12 months” by Sports activities actions Illustrated, was famously featured on a Wheaties discipline and bought an induction into the Worldwide Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 1997.
Retton’s full interview with Kotb will air Monday, Jan. 8 at 7:30 a.m. ET on “Within the current day.”
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