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Mary Lou Retton says she’s “grateful” to be alive after medical doctors nearly put her on lifestyles fortify.
The previous Olympic gymnast sat down with Hoda Kotb for her first interview since being hospitalized for an extraordinary type of pneumonia in October 2023.
“This is serious, and this is life, and I’m so grateful to be here,” Retton, 55, mentioned in a sneak peek clip from the interview, which is able to air Monday on “Today.”
“I am blessed to be here because there was a time when they were about to put me on life support.”
The interview used to be carried out at Retton’s house in Boerne, Texas, the place she has been improving after a month-long keep within the in depth care unit.
The “Dancing With the Stars” alum is these days the usage of a transportable oxygen equipment as she continues to get well.
“I feel like you’re in a very vulnerable state,” Kotb, 59, advised Retton, who spoke back, “Very much so. I’m very private and to come out and talk about it … usually my interviews are, ‘Oh yes, it felt great to win the Olympics!’”
Retton used to be joined through her eldest daughter, Shayla Schrepfer, for the emotional sit-down. The adorned Olympian could also be mother to daughters McKenna, Skyla and Emma, whom she stocks with ex-husband Shannon Kelley.
Retton’s well being struggles had been published again in October when McKenna introduced by way of social media that her mother used to be “fighting for her life” and within the ICU because of an extraordinary type of pneumonia. The circle of relatives arrange a Spotfund account to lend a hand with the scientific bills.
“My amazing mom, Mary Lou, has a very rare form of pneumonia and is fighting for her life. She is not able to breathe on her own. She’s been in the ICU for over a week now,” McKenna defined on behalf of her and her sisters.
“Out of respect for her and her privacy, I will not disclose all details. However, I will disclose that she not insured. 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.”
The circle of relatives has raised over $450,000 in their preliminary $50,000 function.
Retton in the past published by way of Instagram on Oct. 30, 2023 that she used to be out of the health center and at the mend at house.
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“I’m with family continuing to slowly recover and staying very positive as I know this recovery is a long and slow process,” she wrote partly on the time.
“When the time is right, I will be sharing more information about my health issues and hope I can help others who may face the same battle as me. I love you all.”
Whilst Retton has made a number of achievements over time, she is very best recognized for making historical past on the 1984 Summer time Olympics in Los Angeles through changing into the primary American to win a person all-around gold medal.
She used to be later named “Sportswoman of the Year” through Sports activities Illustrated, used to be famously featured on a Wheaties field and won an induction into the World Gymnastics Corridor of Popularity in 1997.
Retton’s complete interview with Kotb will air Monday, Jan. 8 at 7:30 a.m. ET on “Today.”