What happened to Ben Askren? Former MMA fighter details near death experience following hospitalization over health struggles

Former MMA fighter and wrestler Ben Askren has detailed his time in the hospital in a new update. The athlete, who suffered a medical crisis between May 28 and July 2, posted a video on Instagram sharing that he doesn’t remember much of what happened to him.

Askren underwent a lunch transplant for both his lungs after he developed pneumonia and a staph infection, as per USA Today.

As per the athlete himself, he “died four times,” when his heart stopped beating for a few seconds.

Recounting his ordeal on social media from a hospital bed, having visibly lost a lot of weight, Askren addressed his fans and well wishers, and said,

“What’s up guys, I have not given you an update in a while, feel like you deserve one…I actually just read through my wife's journal because I don't remember anything from May 28 to July 2. No recollection. Zero idea, no idea what happened…I just read through the journal and it's like a movie, its ridiculous. So, I only died four times where the ticker stopped for about 20 seconds.”

Askren was quite weak and clearly struggling to speak. But he continued, and added,

“But I got a double lung transplant, I made it out to the other side of it, gaining quite a bit of strength. Learning to do everything again. I was actually on the scale yesterday, 147lb. I haven't been 147lb since 15 years old.”

Sharing that everyone’s love and concern got him through the difficult period, he added,

“Man, that was a battle, other than that, I don’t remember most of it. And, you know the thing that was most impactful for me was the love I felt from everybody. It’s almost like, it was almost like, I got to have my own funeral, right?…So man, the outpouring of love from the wrestling community was just amazing, it felt so good.”

Despite still recovering from his medical crisis, Askren shared that he has a positive outlook for his future. He revealed,

“I'm more motivated than ever to get back and do what I can to help out the best I can help out. I love you guys. I appreciate you guys. This has been tough, not only for me, but for my whole family and my close community. So I appreciate everything. Hope you guys appreciate the update. Like I said, somewhere down the road, maybe Amy and I can detail everything a little more.”

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Ben Askren (@benaskren)

 

While Ben Askren was sedated in the hospital, his wife shared updates on his health

Ben Askren took the wrestling community and the MMA world by surprise when his wife, Amy Askren took to Facebook to confirm his hospitalization on June 8.

At the time, Amy wrote that Askren wasn’t ‘responding’ to treatment. She confirmed Askren’s medical crisis, and wrote,

“You may have heard that my husband Ben is going through something. He developed severe pneumonia which came on very suddenly. He’s currently in the hospital and unable to respond to anything at this time.”

Amy also thanked Askren’s fans and the couple’s community for their outpouring of love and support.

On June 17, Amy further revealed details about the Olympic wrestler’s treatment, and wrote,

“Ben is still on a ventilator and ecmo to support him while he heals. There are good days and bad, but on the good, they have been able to wean his sedation enough for him to open his eyes and squeeze hands. His body can’t handle coming off sedation too much yet. I’m still praying for a miracle with his current lungs, but they are currently starting the evaluation process for lung transplant.”

 

A few days later, Amy shared that Askren was on the transplant list and was waiting for an organ donation.

On June 30, Amy revealed that Askren had successfully received a double lung transplant and was on the path to recovery.

Sharing insight into how rapidly Askren became critical, Amy wrote,

“It still doesn’t feel real that he was walking around completely healthy just 5 weeks ago. So much can change so quickly. Please keep Ben in your prayers that his body welcomes the new lungs as if they were his own.”

Despite Ben Askren’s health struggles, his family remains remains hopeful and have consistently urged their supporters to pray for the UFC fighter’s quick recovery.