Mary Lou Retton recalls the miraculous detail that saved her life after she collapsed with pneumonia

“I am blessed to be here because there is a time when they were about to put me on life support,” began Mary Lou in an interview on NBC’s TODAY show. It’s the first time the Olympic gold medalist has spoken out since an almost fatal incident she suffered caused by pneumonia last year.

Retton was hospitalized in October after she suddenly contracted a rare form of pneumonia, which caused her condition to worsen terrifyingly quickly. The infection severely impacted her lung capacity so much so that back in October, she collapsed at home.

Neighbour savior

As the former gymnast explained during the exclusive interview, it was thanks to a neighbor’s intervention that she was able to be hospitalized and treated quickly. The eagle-eyed neighbor- who’s since been identified as Magda- noticed that Retton’s car door was open, which raised alarms. “She came into the house. She knows my code, and saw me and found me,” Retton explained. “And Magda pretty much saved my life,” the Olympian confessed during the interview.

Retton’s daughter Shayla Schrepfer spent time with her mother the day before she ended up in hospital and recalled her mother complaining of feeling extremely tired. They were actually preparing for a trip to Dallas together just before the incident. Shayla explained that her mom was “so tired,” saying she couldn’t keep her eyes open.

Things looked bleak once Retton saw a doctor. Daughter Schrepfer was told by medical professionals that they “didn’t know if she was going to make it through the night,” which prompted her family to say their goodbyes.

Fortunately, Retton was able to get her oxygen levels up enough, so the intervention of a ventilator wasn’t required.

Continued recovery at home

Retton is continuing her recovery at home. The former athlete is currently using portable oxygen to help with her breathing- she had tubes attached to her during the interview.

After her hospitalization, Retton’s family started a crowdfunding page which has since raised almost half a million dollars.

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