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In a courageous, emotional and candid Instagram video shared on Wednesday, July 9, former Olympic wrestler and MMA fighter Ben Askren updated fans and friends on his health from his hospital bed after a double-lung transplant. Askren’s wife Amy confirmed the transplant in a June 30 Facebook post.
Askren, a Hartland native and graduate of Arrowhead High School, claims in his post that he remembers very little during his bout after developing complications from pneumonia between May 28 and July 2.
‘I only died four times’
“I actually just read through my wife’s journal. 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 then spoke about how his weight had dropped to 147 pounds, losing about 50 pounds in about six weeks. He then thanked his friends, fans and supporters for all the well-wishes during his illness and surgery.
“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.”
“I still remember 30 years ago, when Dave Schultz died. He wasn’t always told — and now people recollect — how much they enjoyed him, how much they loved him. You know, obviously, he never got to hear that,” Askren said, adding that in his case: “… The outpouring of love from the wrestling community was just amazing. It felt so good.”
“I’m more motivated than ever to get back and do what I can to help out the best I can,” Askren added. “I love you guys. I appreciate you guys. This has been tough, not only for me, but for my whole family and close community as well.
“Hope you guys appreciate the update. Like I said, somewhere down the road, maybe Amy and I can detail everything a little more.”
What happened to Ben Askren?
Askren’s wife Amy confirmed on social media June 7 that her husband was in the hospital with severe pneumonia.
Why did Ben Askren need a lung transplant?
Askren was on a ventilator and ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) while battling pneumonia. When it was determined that a transplant was likely the best course of action, Amy Askren shared another social media update: “I’m still praying for a miracle with his current lungs, but they are currently starting the evaluation process for lung transplant. Please pray for his continued healing, and if transplant is the solution, that he can get on the list quickly and easily. I know transplants are such a blessing and I’m overwhelmed at the thought of him receiving a gift like that. No one would take better care of that gift than Ben.”
Where is Ben Askren from?
Askren is from Hartland, Wisconsin. He is a graduate of Arrowhead High School and a two-time WIAA state wrestling champion. He also wrestled in the 2008 Olympics before competing in Mixed Martial Arts.
Did Jake Paul pay for Ben Askren’s transplant?
Paul was outspoken before Askren received the double-lung transplant, making reference to how expensive the surgery is and said, “We are figuring out the donation now,” and “I feel like I have to do something.” Amy Askren said the funds for the transplant came from multiple donors and sources.
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