Tessa Quinn
Mary Lou Retton, the Olympic gold medalist gymnast, was hospitalized in 2023 for a rare form of pneumonia. She was treated in the ICU of a Texas hospital and her family shared that she was fighting for her life. Retton's daughters took to social media to ask for support and prayers for their mother's recovery. After spending weeks in the hospital, Retton was released and continued her recovery at home.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the person | Mary Lou Retton |
| Profession | Gymnast |
| Year of birth | 1968 (55 years old in 2023) |
| Place of residence | Houston, Texas |
| Health status | Diagnosed with a rare form of pneumonia, hospitalized in the ICU, and now recovering at home |
| Fundraising | A Spotfund page was created to support Retton's medical expenses, raising nearly $460,000 |
| Insurance status | Does not have medical insurance |
| Family | Four daughters: Emma Jean Kelley, McKenna Kelley, Shayla Kelley Schrepfer, and one unnamed daughter |
| Achievements | First American female gymnast to win the Olympic all-around gold at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics; Inducted into the USOC Olympic Hall of Fame in 1985; Associated Press amateur athlete of the year in 1984 |
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What You'll Learn
Mary Lou Retton's rare form of pneumonia
Mary Lou Retton, the Olympic gold medalist for the women's gymnastics team, was hospitalized with a rare form of pneumonia in late 2023. Retton's rare form of pneumonia was life-threatening and caused her to be unable to breathe on her own. She was initially taken to the emergency room before being advised to go to a hospital. She spent about a month in the intensive care unit of a Texas hospital.
Retton's daughter, McKenna Kelley, revealed that her mother had been diagnosed with a "very rare form of pneumonia" and that she was "fighting for her life". She also shared that her mom was uninsured and asked for donations to help pay the mounting medical bills. The fund raised more than $450,000.
Retton herself has described her battle with pneumonia as a medical mystery. She shared that she has a hard time breathing and getting breath to speak. She also revealed that her lungs are "pretty scarred up" and that she will have to wear oxygen tubes in her nose for another year or so. Doctors still do not know what caused her pneumonia, and Retton has said that they still don't know what illness continues to affect her lungs.
Despite the challenges, Retton is on the road to recovery. Her daughter, Shayla Schrepfer, shared that her mother's "breathing is becoming stronger, and her reliance on machines is diminishing". Retton herself has said that she is getting better and is now in recovery mode.
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Retton's ICU treatment
Mary Lou Retton, the celebrated Olympic gymnast, was admitted to an intensive care unit at a hospital in Texas in October 2023. She was diagnosed with a rare and life-threatening form of pneumonia that severely affected her lungs and breathing.
During her ICU treatment, Retton required significant medical intervention to support her breathing and overall health. As pneumonia can cause severe respiratory distress, it is likely that mechanical ventilation was used to assist her breathing. This involves the use of a ventilator machine to deliver oxygen to the lungs and remove carbon dioxide, ensuring adequate ventilation and oxygenation.
Additionally, Retton may have received various medications as part of her ICU treatment. Antibiotics are typically administered to treat pneumonia and help clear the infection. Steroids may also be given to reduce inflammation in the lungs and improve breathing. Other supportive medications, such as bronchodilators or mucolytics, could have been used to further enhance her respiratory function.
The ICU team closely monitored Retton's vital signs, including her heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation levels. They also ensured her comfort and provided interventions to stabilize her condition. This may have included the use of intravenous fluids, nutritional support, and careful positioning to optimize breathing and prevent complications such as bedsores.
The specific details of Retton's ICU treatment remain unknown to the public, but it is clear that she required intensive care and support for her breathing and overall health during her hospitalization. The duration of her ICU stay is not specified, but it was likely a critical period in her journey toward recovery.
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Retton's medical expenses
Mary Lou Retton, the Olympic gold medalist for the women's gymnastics team, was hospitalized in 2023 for a rare form of lung-damaging pneumonia. Her family shared that she was in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a Texas hospital, fighting for her life. Retton's daughters took to social media to request support and prayers for their mother's recovery.
During her hospitalization, Retton required treatment and support for breathing, as she was unable to breathe on her own. Her daughters shared updates on her progress, expressing gratitude for the outpouring of love and support they received. They also disclosed that their mother did not have medical insurance, and they sought financial assistance through a Spotfund page to help cover the hospital bills and medical expenses. The campaign successfully raised over $500,000.
Retton was hospitalized for about a month and has since been released to continue her recovery at home. She still requires daily oxygen support for her scarred lungs, and her specific diagnosis remains unclear. Despite the challenges, Retton's daughters remain hopeful, crediting their mother's progress to her fighting spirit.
The financial burden of Retton's medical expenses is a significant concern, especially given the lack of medical insurance. The family expressed their gratitude for the donations received through the Spotfund page, which aimed to cover the hospital bills. The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee also offered assistance through its relief fund, demonstrating their support for Retton's recovery.
As Retton continues her recovery journey, the financial implications of her medical expenses remain a pressing issue. The funds raised through donations have provided crucial support, but the long-term costs associated with her ongoing treatment and recovery are yet to be determined. The family's decision to seek financial assistance highlights the importance of medical coverage and the potential challenges faced without insurance.
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Retton's recovery
Rettons' Recovery
The Diagnosis
Mary Lou Retton, the Olympic gold medalist for the women's gymnastics team, was diagnosed with a rare form of pneumonia that was damaging her lungs. Her daughter, McKenna Kelley, first shared the news on social media on October 10, 2023, revealing that Retton was in the ICU fighting for her life. The family set up a Spotfund page to help offset Retton's medical expenses as she did not have medical insurance.
The Hospital Stay
Retton was hospitalized for about a month, during which her condition was serious, and she was unable to breathe on her own. Her treatment and recovery were not linear, but she gradually improved. Her daughter, Shayla Schrepfer, shared updates on social media, noting that her mother's breathing was becoming stronger and her reliance on machines was diminishing.
The Homecoming
On October 23, 2023, Retton was discharged from the hospital and returned home to continue her recovery. Her daughter, McKenna, shared the news on Instagram, expressing gratitude for the love and support the family had received. She also acknowledged that they still had a long road of recovery ahead but were taking it one step at a time.
The Ongoing Journey
As of July 30, 2024, Retton was still in the recovery process, requiring daily oxygen for her scarred lungs. In an interview, she shared that there was a time when she was on her deathbed and that her doctors still didn't know exactly what illness had affected her lungs. Despite the challenges, Retton's fighting spirit and the support of her family have been instrumental in her journey back to health.
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Retton's daughters' social media updates
Rettons' Daughters' Social Media Updates
Shayla Schrepfer, one of Mary Lou Retton's daughters, took to social media to share updates about her mother's health. In her Instagram stories, she wrote, "We're thrilled to share some uplifting updates! Mom's progress is truly remarkable! Prayers have been felt and have been answered." She also shared a Christmas photo of all four daughters, including herself, McKenna Kelley, Emma Jean Kelley, and Skyla Kelley, with their mother, wishing everyone a "Merry Christmas."
McKenna Kelley, another one of Retton's daughters, provided an update on social media, revealing that the Olympic gymnast was in "recovery mode." "Mom is HOME and in recovery mode. We still have a long road of recovery ahead of us, but baby steps," she wrote. She also expressed gratitude for the love and support received, saying, "We are overwhelmed with the love and support from everyone. Grateful doesn’t scrape the surface of the posture of our hearts."
In October 2023, the daughters had first shared the news of their mother's illness on social media, asking fans for support. They revealed that Retton was battling a rare form of pneumonia and was in the ICU, fighting for her life. They set up a crowdfunding campaign on Spotfund to help with medical expenses, as Retton did not have medical insurance. The campaign raised over $500,000.
As Retton continued her recovery, her daughters shared further updates. In July 2024, Shayla Schrepfer posted another encouraging update, saying, "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."
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Frequently asked questions
Mary Lou Retton was hospitalized with a rare form of pneumonia.
Retton was in the intensive care unit of a hospital in Texas.
Retton was in the hospital for about a month.
Retton was discharged from the hospital on October 23, 2023, and is now recovering at home.
