‘Thank You Jesus’: Olympian Mary Lou Retton Home From Hospital
By Movieguide® Contributor
Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton is home from the hospital and “in recovery mode” after contracting a rare form of pneumonia.
“We still have a long road of recovery ahead of us, but baby steps,” the former Olympian’s daughter McKenna Kelley wrote on Instagram. “We are overwhelmed with the love and support from everyone. Grateful doesn’t scrape the surface of the posture of our hearts.”
She added, “Thank you Jesus, thank you doctors & nurses, thank you to this loving community of support.”
Retton has been hospitalized for the past two weeks with a “ very rare form of pneumonia” and was “not able to breathe on her own,” according to a fundraising page her daughters created.
Her daughters — McKenna, Skyla, Shayla and Emma — have been updating supporters via Instagram.
“Mom’s progress is truly remarkable,” McKenna and Shayla shared in a joint post a few weeks ago. “Prayers have been felt and are being answered.”
They 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!”
Movieguide® previously reported:
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.”
