Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Mary Lou Retton's Family Gives Hopeful Update Amid Her Battle With Rare Form Of Pneumonia

Mary Lou Retton
David Livingston/Getty Images

The Olympic gymnast's family said she's making 'remarkable' progress after being hospitalized for over a week.

Make us preferred on Google

Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton was hospitalized over a week ago with a rare form of pneumonia, and her family just shared a positive update.

Just last week, Retton's daughter McKenna Kelly set up a Spotfund fundraiser and revealed her mother was "fighting for her life."


"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."

Kelly added that her mom had no health insurance and any help would be greatly appreciated.

"ANYTHING, absolutely anything, would be so helpful for my family and my mom."

Then on October 11, Retton's daughter Shayla Schrepfer posted a video on Instagram sharing that her mother "is still fighting."

"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."

But on Saturday, the gymnast's daughters shared "some uplifting updates" to Instagram letting fans know that their mother has made "remarkable" progress.

On their separate accounts, they posted a message that read:

"Mom's progress is truly remarkable!"
"Prayers have been felt and have been answers."

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."

The message concluded:

"Though it's a lengthy journey, witnessing these improvements is incredibly heartening! She's responding so well to treatments."
"We extend our heartfelt gratitude for your overwhelming love."

People on social media were relieved to see a positive update and continued to send their well wishes.











As of this writing, Retton's Spotfund has raised more than $441k.

Schrepfer extended her gratitude to her mother's fans and their generosity:

"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 to her."

Here's hoping Retton is on her way to making a full, speedy recovery.

More from News/science

Montana Jordan and Emily Osment
Steve Granitz/FilmMagic

'Young Sheldon' Star Explains Why She Asked For An Intimacy Coordinator On The Show—And It Makes Sense

Entertainment journalist and Glamour magazine Senior West Coast Editor Jessica Radloff's new book, Young Sheldon: The (Juicier-Than-Meemaw’s-Brisket) Inside Story of the Hit Comedy, shared a story about actor Emily Osment joining the show in its fifth season that's drawing praise for her consideration for her fellow child star, Montana Jordan.

Osment, who began acting at age five, is one of a rare breed in Hollywood—a child star turned successful adult actor. It's a journey many kids have infamously stumbled on, but that Jordan has also successfully navigated perhaps in part thanks to Osment.

Keep ReadingShow less
Participants at the meeting of the furry scene Eurofurence in the Hotel Estrel in Berlin, Germany
Jens Kalaene/Picture Alliance via Getty Images

Texas GOP's Bizarre Text Warning Voters About 'Weirdo Furry Socialists' Sparks Mockery

A Texas political action committee sparked online mockery after multiple people independently told the San Antonio Current they received a text message urging Texans to vote Republican to keep so-called "furry Socialists" from choosing their leaders.

The message was sent Saturday alongside a photo purportedly showing a man wearing a fox-tail accessory as he left a polling location in Collin County. The message identified its sender as Texans for Common Sense, a political action committee funded entirely by Texans United for a Conservative Majority PAC, a far-right organization backed by West Texas oil billionaire Tim Dunn.

Keep ReadingShow less
Norwegian national flag on flagpole; Donald Trump
Patrick Pleul/Picture Alliance via Getty Images; Aaron Schwartz/Getty Images

Norway Has Pointed Response After Trump Calls Them A 'Sh*thouse Country' For Not Giving Him Nobel Prize

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide responded after President Donald Trump slammed Norway as a "sh*thouse country" for once again passing him over for the Nobel Peace Prize.

This year the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Navanetham Pillay, the former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights who holds the distinction of being the first non-white female judge of the High Court of South Africa. Pillay received the honor "for her efforts to promote peace and international law."

Keep ReadingShow less
Nicki Minaj
Alex Wong/Getty Images

Nicki Minaj Is Now Being Floated As A Possible White House Press Secretary—And It's Beyond Parody

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung had critics rolling their eyes after he shared a video of himself with rapper Nicki Minaj and floated her as the next press secretary.

Cheung's post comes as the White House continues to hunt for a replacement for Katie Zacharia, who was fired after just five days on the job.

Keep ReadingShow less
Alexander Skarsgård attends the Los Angeles premiere of Black Bear's "Wicker" at Directors Guild Of America.
Maya Dehlin/WireImage

Alexander Skarsgård's Unexpected Confession About Finding The Grinch Hot Sparks Hilarious Reactions

Some people want a man who's tall, dark, and handsome. Alexander Skarsgård prefers green, hairy, and someone who hates Christmas with a passion.

It all went down during a Bustle interview promoting Wicker, when Skarsgård and co-star Olivia Colman got into a “hear me out” discussion that took an unexpectedly naughty turn.

Keep ReadingShow less