Retired mixed martial arts icon and Olympic wrestler, Ben Askren, has recently opened up about a health battle far more daunting than any opponent he ever faced in the octagon. His candid account reveals a journey from the brink of death to a miraculous recovery following a double lung transplant, a testament to medical advancement and the human spirit`s tenacity.
The ordeal began quietly for Askren, escalating rapidly from severe pneumonia to a critical hospitalization. For weeks, he navigated a hazy landscape of unconsciousness, his life hanging precariously in the balance. As his wife, Amy Askren, diligently documented the harrowing days in her journal, Ben himself remained largely unaware, his memory of the period from late May to early July entirely erased. “No recollection. No idea. No idea what happened,” Askren recently shared, describing the experience as akin to reading a dramatic movie script.
The gravity of his condition is underscored by a stark, almost disarmingly casual revelation: during his hospitalization, his heart “only died four times,” each instance lasting approximately twenty seconds. This isn`t a statistic one typically boasts about, yet for Askren, surviving these moments signifies an extraordinary feat of endurance by both patient and medical team. It`s a reminder that even for someone accustomed to extreme physical demands, life`s most challenging fights can occur silently, within the confines of a hospital room.
The physical toll was immense. Emerging from this critical phase, Askren found himself significantly lighter – a staggering 50 pounds shed in just 45 days, dropping him to a weight he hadn`t seen since his early teenage years. This dramatic weight loss paints a vivid picture of the body`s struggle to survive and recover from such profound trauma.
Beyond the physical scars, Askren`s recovery also highlights the power of community and connection. Though he remembers little of his unconscious period, the outpouring of support from fans, the wrestling community, and loved ones resonated deeply. He described it as a unique opportunity to witness the love and appreciation typically reserved for a posthumous tribute. “It was almost like I got to have my own funeral,” he mused, a poignant reflection on the profound impact of collective well-wishes during his darkest hours.
As Ben Askren continues his arduous recovery, a process that typically spans months and carries initial risks of infection or rejection, his story stands as a powerful narrative of resilience. It`s a sobering reminder of life`s fragility and the incredible capabilities of modern medicine. More importantly, it`s a testament to the indomitable spirit of an athlete who has always embraced challenges, both inside and outside the ring, and now embarks on perhaps his most significant comeback yet.
