Mary Lou Retton encounters a troubling setback in her battle against an uncommon pneumonia variant, as stated by her daughter

Retton’s Scary Setback in Pneumonia Battle

In a surprising turn of events, retired Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast Mary Lou Retton faced a daunting setback in her fight against a rare form of pneumonia this week. Just when it seemed like she was making remarkable progress towards recovery, things took a sharp turn for the worse.

The intensive care unit continues to be Retton’s current abode as she navigates through this challenging time. Unfortunately, the setback has left her feeling exhausted and drained. Her daughter, Shayla Kelley Schrepfer, shared an update on Instagram to shed light on the situation.

Schrepfer expressed how they were initially filled with excitement at the beginning of the week as they witnessed substantial improvement. However, their hopes came crashing down when yesterday presented them with a rather alarming setback. The road to recovery now seems longer than anticipated. Despite facing adversity once again, Retton remains resilient and determined to overcome these obstacles within ICU walls.

This month brought forth devastating news as Retton’s family announced that the renowned gymnast had been diagnosed with a rare form of pneumonia – leaving her fighting for her life. To add more strain to an already difficult situation, her lack of insurance only exacerbated concerns about medical costs. Daughter McKenna Kelley launched an online fundraiser seeking support from well-wishers who empathize with their predicament.

Pneumonia is no ordinary respiratory infection; it can wreak havoc by filling one’s lungs with fluid while posing potential risks ranging from mild discomfort to life-threatening scenarios. Those most vulnerable to its grip include adults over 65, children below 5, and individuals already grappling with preexisting medical conditions. At this time, the family has refrained from disclosing the specific type of pneumonia afflicting Retton. They have respectfully requested privacy regarding such matters.

Earlier in the week, Schrepfer shared a glimmer of hope amidst the prevailing darkness. While Retton’s condition still warranted intensive care measures, her breathing had shown signs of improvement – an encouraging development that alleviated reliance on external assistance.

“Mom’s progress is truly remarkable,” wrote Schrepfer enthusiastically on Instagram. “Prayers have undoubtedly played a significant role in her ongoing journey.”

Mary Lou Retton etched her name into Olympic history during the 1984 Games held in Los Angeles, where she secured an impressive tally of five medals – more than any other athlete at those games. Her triumph in snagging an Olympic gold medal for the individual all-around event made her a household name worldwide. The International Gymnastics Hall of Fame welcomed Retton with open arms as they bestowed upon her their prestigious induction honor in 1997.