Video: Ben Askren reveals he ‘died 4 times’ before double lung transplant
Former NCAA national wrestling champion and mixed martial arts fighter Ben Askren has shared his first update since undergoing a double lung transplant. The surgery followed a severe case of pneumonia that kept him hospitalized for over a month.
Last month, former MMA fighter Ben Askren faced a life-threatening health crisis. His wife, Amy, shared updates revealing he was in critical condition due to severe pneumonia complicated by a serious staph infection. Askren’s health deteriorated to the point where a double lung transplant became necessary. This procedure, estimated to cost $2 million, was unfortunately not covered by his health insurance.
The combat sports community, including Jake and Logan Paul, rallied to fund Askren’s successful double lung transplant after a donor was found.
In an Instagram video posted Wednesday from his hospital bed, 40-year-old Askren revealed he has no memory of the period from May 28 to July 2, relying on his wife, Amy, to piece together what happened.
“No recollection, zero idea, no idea what happened,” Askren said in the video. “We’ll kind of go through it all. I just read through my wife’s journal. It’s like a movie. It’s ridiculous. I only died four times, where the ticker stopped for about 20 seconds.”
Askren said that he lost 50 pounds in 45 days, now weighing 147 pounds, but has begun to regain his strength. He extended his gratitude to everyone for their support.
“The thing that was most impeccable to me was all the love I felt from everybody,” Askren said. “It was almost like I got to have my own funeral. … The outpouring of love from the wrestling community was just amazing. It felt so good.”