‘Prayers Have Been Answered’: Mary Lou Retton Making ‘Remarkable’ Progress
By Movieguide® Contributor
Former Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton is making “remarkable” progress as she continues to battle a rare form of pneumonia.
“We’re thrilled to share some uplifting updates!” Retton’s daughters, Shayla and McKenna, shared in a statement via Instagram. “Mom’s progress is truly remarkable! Prayers have been felt and answered.”
The statement continued, “Although she remains in the ICU, her path to recovery is steadily unfolding. 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! She’s beginning to respond to treatments.”
“Once more, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your overwhelming love and support,” the post concluded.
Retton has been in the hospital for over a week now, “fighting for her life” against this rare form of pneumonia.
“We ask that if you could help in any way, that 1) you PRAY! and 2) if you could help us with finances for the hospital bill,” a funding page set up by McKenna reads.
The page has already raised over $400,000 of its initial $50,000 goal.
Shayla updated fans on her mother’s condition in a recent Instagram video.
“She’s still fighting,” she said of Retton. “She is being treated by the best of the best professionals here. And it has been such a blessing to have their hands on her. So please continue the prayers. We cannot thank you enough for the love and support you guys have shown.”
She continued, “My sisters and I are overwhelmed. We didn’t even realize that there’s so many people out there that love her just as much as we do. And it’s been a really hard time for our family, so just seeing that people love her like that, and are showing her that support, it’s just meant the world to us and her.”
Movieguide® previously reported on Retton’s health battle:
Legendary Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton is “fighting for her life” as she battles pneumonia in the ICU.
“My amazing mom, Mary Lou, has a very rare form of pneumonia and is fighting for her life,” Retton’s daughter McKenna Kelley wrote on a fundraising page for her mother. “She is not able to breathe on her own. She’s been in the ICU for over a week now. Out of respect for her and her privacy, I will not disclose all details. However, I will disclose that she [is] not insured.”
She continued, “We ask that if you could help in any way, that 1) you PRAY! and 2) if you could help us with finances for the hospital bill.”
Retton went on to appear in many movies and TV shows, including KNOTS LANDING, BAYWATCH and GLEE. She also competed on DANCING WITH THE STARS alongside partner Sasha Farber.
“I’ve been talking to her today and she’s fighting,” Farber told Entertainment Tonight. “She kind of wants to give up, but I’m sending her videos of her dancing and I’m telling her, ‘There’s only one Mary Lou Retton. You’ve got this!’”
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