UFC fighter and former Olympic wrestler Ben Askren is sharing an replace after being hospitalized with extreme pneumonia.
In a video filmed from his hospital mattress and shared by way of Instagram on Wednesday, July 9, Aksren, 40, stated he “died 4 instances” and had a double lung transplant after falling significantly unwell.
Askren’s spouse, Amy, first revealed he was hospitalized with pneumonia and “preventing” for his life in early June.
“I don’t keep in mind something from Might 28 to July 2. No recollection. No thought what occurred,” Askren stated within the video. “I simply learn by my spouse’s journal. It’s like a film. It’s ridiculous.”
Askren quipped, “I solely died 4 instances” throughout his hospital keep, including, “The ticker stopped for about 20 seconds.”
The blended martial artist is now on the mend after present process a double lung transplant, nonetheless, he famous that he has misplaced a major quantity of weight whereas hospitalized.
“[I’m] 147 kilos. I haven’t been 147 kilos since 15 years outdated,” he shared. “I misplaced like 50 kilos in a 45-day interval.”
Askren described the final month as “nearly like I bought to have my very own funeral,” noting how touched he was by the help and he and his household have acquired over the past month.
“The factor that was most impactful for me was the love I felt from all people,” he stated. “You take heed to all these folks recollect how a lot they take pleasure in you, how a lot they love you. The outpouring of affection from the wrestling group was wonderful. It felt so good.”
Askren concluded the video by sharing that he hoped to finally element what occurred throughout his month-long hospitalization.
Askren’s spouse, Amy, first revealed his well being scare by way of Fb on June 7. “You’ll have heard that my husband Ben goes by one thing,” she wrote. “He developed extreme pneumonia which got here on very all of a sudden. He’s presently within the hospital and unable to reply to something right now. We welcome all prayers for therapeutic and for peace. We are attempting to maintain life as regular as doable for our kids presently and doing our greatest to help them thoughtfully so please chorus from discussing it with them for now.”
Two days later, Amy urged her mates and followers to “hold praying for Ben.”
Askren and Amy share three youngsters, together with daughters Alex, 12, and Andi, 9, and son Ozi, 7.