Mary Lou Retton says she’s “grateful” to be alive after docs practically 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 on account of there was a time as soon as that they had been about to put 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 maintain inside the intensive care unit.
The “Dancing With the Stars” alum is at current using a transportable oxygen tools as she continues to recuperate.
“I actually really feel corresponding to you’re in a extremely weak state,” Kotb, 59, instructed Retton, who replied, “Very quite a bit so. I’m very private and to return out and discuss it … usually my interviews are, ‘Oh certain, 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 properly being struggles had been revealed once more in October when McKenna launched via social media that her mom was “stopping for her life” and inside the ICU as a consequence of a unusual sort of pneumonia. The family prepare a Spotfund account to help with the medical payments.
“My very good 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 inside 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 may help in any method, that 1) you PRAY! and a pair of) do you have to may help us with funds for the hospital bill.”
The family has raised over $450,000 of their preliminary $50,000 goal.
Retton beforehand revealed via 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 properly 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 further particulars about my properly being factors and hope I can help others who may face the similar battle as me. I actually such as you all.”
Whereas Retton has made numerous achievements via the years, she is biggest 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 subject 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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