Mary Lou Retton Celebrates Easter Without Oxygen Tube 6 Months After Hospitalization

Mary Lou Retton was hospitalized in October after contracting a rare form of pneumonia.

Mary Lou Retton celebrated Easter and a milestone in her health journey!

On Sunday, the Olympic champion's daughter, Shayla Kelley, shared photos from their holiday celebration. 

"H🐰ppy Easter ! 🐣 Missing @emmajeankelley !!!," Shayla wrote. In the photo, Retton stands next to Shayla and her other daughters, McKenna and and Skyla as they pose on the porch.

Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Noticeably absent from the picture is Retton's oxygen tank, which has offered her breathing support following her battle with a rare form of pneumonia that left her hospitalized

In October, Retton's daughters reported that she was "fighting for her life" in the ICU as she battled a rare form of pneumonia. During her weeks in the hospital, Retton's daughters kept their followers updated on her progress and a "very scary setback."

Weeks after the hospitalization, Retton broke her silence, sharing that she was recovering at home and thanking fans, ahead of her long road to recovery.

Last month, Retton took to Instagram and shared a video of her dog, catching her breath following a walk. Briefly updating her fans, the former Dancing With the Stars contestant captioned the video, "#tryingtogetbackinshape."

In the clip, Retton sits on the couch with the camera facing her dog as she asks her if she would like to go for another walk. 

"She's still breathing heavy from the last one," Retton says. "And I'm the little lady in my neighborhood that has a portable oxygen machine walking a big fat golden retriever who I love, and her name is Honey," she adds with laughter.

In January, Retton spoke for the first time about her life-threatening battle and the road to recovery. The gymnastics icon appeared alongside her daughter, Shayla, and with the support of her oxygen tank as she spoke to Today's Hoda Kotb.

After making it home and celebrating Christmas with her family, Retton spoke about her optimism amid her healing.

Shayla Schrepfer/Instagram Story

"When you face death in the eyes, I have so much to look forward to, I'm a fighter and I'm not going to give up," she told Kotb. "I have no idea what the future holds for me, I don't know if I'm going to have lasting issues with my lungs, they don't know. I wish I had answers, but I will never give up, it's not in me."

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