Ethan Rhodes
Mary Lou Retton, the Olympic gold medalist who made her mark in 1984, was hospitalized in October 2023 for a rare and severe form of pneumonia. Retton's hospitalization came as a shock to many, as the former gymnast and five-time Olympic medalist had to be intubated and spent about a month in the intensive care unit, fighting for her life. Retton's daughters played a crucial role in sharing updates about their mother's health and even set up a crowdfunding campaign to support her medical expenses. As of July 2024, Retton continues her recovery and requires daily oxygen for her scarred lungs, while doctors still don't have a clear diagnosis for her condition.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of hospitalization | October 2023 |
| Diagnosis | Rare form of pneumonia |
| Length of hospital stay | About a month |
| ICU stay | Yes |
| Length of ICU stay | Two weeks |
| Need for supplemental oxygen | Yes |
| Duration of need for supplemental oxygen | Seven months and counting |
| Fundraiser for medical expenses | Yes |
| Amount raised | Over $500,000 |
| Insurance status | None |
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What You'll Learn
Mary Lou Retton's rare form of pneumonia
Mary Lou Retton, a former Olympic gymnast, was hospitalized with a rare and life-threatening form of pneumonia in October 2023. Retton's diagnosis came as a shock to many, given her status as one of America's most famous athletes. The 55-year-old had felt tired and out of breath after a manicure session with her daughter, and her condition quickly deteriorated. She was found by a neighbor lying on her bedroom floor, struggling to breathe and unable to move.
Retton's illness was so severe that she required treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and was even close to being placed on life support. Her daughters, McKenna Lane Kelley, Emma Jean Kelley, Shayla Kelley Schrepfer, and Skyla Kelley, were by her side throughout this health crisis, and they also launched a crowdfunding campaign to help with medical bills as Retton did not have health insurance at the time. The campaign raised over $500,000, and Retton expressed gratitude for her daughters' support.
Retton's rare form of pneumonia caused lasting damage to her lungs, and seven months after her hospitalization, she still required daily oxygen support. Doctors were unsure of the exact cause of her pneumonia, as tests for common pathogens like COVID-19, the flu, RSV, bacteria, and fungi came back negative. They planned to perform a lung biopsy to gain more clarity, but the specific type of pneumonia remained a mystery.
The road to recovery for Retton has been challenging, both physically and mentally. She has described the experience as life-changing and admitted to struggling with mental health issues. In an interview, she shared that speaking was difficult due to her breathing problems, and she was unsure when she would be able to return to work as a speaker. Despite the challenges, Retton remains positive and expressed gratitude for her recovery.
The support and love from her family and fans have been instrumental in Retton's journey. Her daughters have been a constant source of strength, and their presence has helped her stay positive during this lengthy and uncertain recovery process.
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Retton's daughters speak out
Mary Lou Retton, the former Olympic gymnast, was hospitalized with a rare form of pneumonia in October 2023. She spent about a month in the intensive care unit and suffered lasting damage to her lungs. Even seven months after being hospitalized, Retton still requires daily oxygen support and her doctors still do not know exactly what illness continues to affect her lungs.
Retton's four daughters—McKenna Lane Kelley, Emma Jean Kelley, Shayla Kelley Schrepfer, and Skyla Kelley—played an active role in their mother's recovery. They were "constantly" by her side during the health crisis and shared updates about her condition on social media. On October 10, 2023, they posted on Instagram that their mother was ill and asked fans for support. They also set up a crowdfunding campaign on Spotfund to help pay for their mother's medical expenses, which raised over $500,000.
One of Retton's daughters, Shayla, shared the following on social media: "Her fighting spirit is truly shining! Her breathing is becoming stronger, and her reliance on machines is diminishing. Though it’s a lengthy journey, witnessing these improvements is incredibly heartening."
Retton herself acknowledged the crucial role her daughters played in her recovery: "It’s my daughters who inspire me — what they did for me, how they’ve stood by me, how strong they were... They said their goodbyes and said, 'Mom, it's OK. You can go.' I didn’t have much of a relationship with my mother, but I can’t imagine what that was like, to watch their mom on her deathbed."
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A crowdfunding campaign is launched
A crowdfunding campaign has been launched to support Mary Lou Retton's medical expenses as she faces an extended hospital stay. The Olympic gold medallist, who captivated the world with her dynamic gymnastics performances, now requires our support and assistance.
The campaign, organized by Retton's family and close friends, aims to raise funds to cover the mounting costs of her treatment and ongoing care. Retton has been hospitalized due to a life-threatening condition, and the financial burden of her medical expenses is significant.
"We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support Mary Lou has received during this difficult time," said a spokesperson for the family. "The costs of her treatment are extensive, and we want to ensure that she has access to the best possible care without the added stress of financial worries."
The crowdfunding campaign provides an opportunity for fans, well-wishers, and those inspired by Retton's achievements to contribute and make a direct impact on her recovery. All funds raised will go directly towards her medical expenses, including specialized treatment, rehabilitation, and any necessary long-term care.
"Mary Lou has always been a fighter, and her positive attitude and determination continue to inspire us all," the spokesperson added. "With the support of the global community, we are confident that she will be able to focus on her health and make a full recovery. We are immensely thankful for any contribution, and we know that Mary Lou appreciates the love and support she has received worldwide."
Those interested in contributing to the crowdfunding campaign can visit the dedicated website or social media pages set up by the family. Every donation, big or small, will make a difference in ensuring Retton receives the care she needs and deserves.
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Retton's health update: 'They still don't know what's wrong'
Rettons health update: They still don't know what's wrong
Mary Lou Retton, the Olympic gold medalist for the women's gymnastics team, has given an update on her health, seven months after being hospitalized with a serious illness. The 56-year-old disclosed that her doctors "still don't know" what illness affected her lungs, calling it a medical mystery.
In October 2023, Retton was placed in the ICU after suffering from a mysterious illness. Her daughter, Kelly, set up a fundraiser on Spotfund to pay for her mother's medical expenses, as Retton did not have medical insurance. The campaign amassed more than $500,000. Retton spent about a month in the hospital and said she suffered lasting damage to her lungs, which will remain scarred.
Retton told "Entertainment Tonight" that she still needs to breathe from oxygen tubes in her nose every day as she continues her recovery. She shared that she still has a hard time breathing and getting breath to speak, and that she is unsure if she will be able to return to her work as a speaker.
Retton's four daughters—McKenna Lane Kelley, Emma Jean Kelley, Shayla Kelley Schrepfer, and Skyla Kelley—were constantly by her side during the health crisis. They shared updates about their mother's health on social media, asking fans for support and expressing their gratitude for the outpouring of love and support.
While Retton is grateful to be alive, she acknowledges that the road to recovery is long and slow. She continues to rely on oxygen therapy and work towards improving her breathing.
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Retton's recovery and ongoing health struggles
Mary Lou Retton, the Olympic gold medalist for the women's gymnastics team, has been open about her health struggles and recovery journey after contracting a rare form of pneumonia in 2023. Retton spent about a month in the hospital, including time in the intensive care unit (ICU), where she fought for her life. Her daughters shared updates on social media, expressing their mother's strength and their gratitude for the outpouring of love and support.
During her hospitalization, Retton's health condition deteriorated to the point where she couldn't breathe on her own and required intubation. Her daughters even recalled being told by doctors to prepare for the worst, but Retton's fighting spirit prevailed. Her breathing gradually strengthened, and her reliance on machines diminished.
Even after her release from the hospital, Retton has continued on a long road to recovery. In updates shared seven months after her hospitalization, Retton revealed that she still experienced difficulty breathing and required supplemental oxygen. She acknowledged the impact this has had on her career as a speaker, expressing frustration at not being able to work as she used to.
The exact cause of Retton's illness remains a mystery. Doctors have not been able to pinpoint the specific cause, and Retton herself has stated that she didn't test positive for anything viral, bacterial, or fungal. Her lungs have suffered lasting damage, and she has been candid about the reality of her ongoing health struggles, stating that she'll never be the same.
Despite the challenges, Retton remains positive and grateful for her support system, especially her four daughters. She has expressed her appreciation for their unwavering presence during her health crisis and the crowdfunding campaigns they initiated to help with medical expenses. The family has also received support from organizations like the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, which offered assistance through its relief fund.
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Frequently asked questions
Mary Lou Retton was hospitalized for a rare form of pneumonia that affected her lungs.
As of May 2024, Retton was still recovering 7 months after being hospitalized. She requires daily oxygen for her scarred lungs, and doctors still don't know exactly what illness she has.
No, she did not have health insurance. Her daughter set up a fundraiser on Spotfund to help pay for her mother's medical expenses.
