Ben Askren Recalls His Pneumonia Struggle – ‘One Doctor Told My Wife I Wouldn’t Make It’
Ben Askren was shocked to learn he had undergone a double lung transplant, as he recalled his recent health struggles.
Askren was hospitalized in June, with pneumonia complications that forced him to undergo the emergency, life-saving surgery. He later revealed he had flatlined four times, suffered memory issues, and lost 50 pounds during the ordeal. His wife, Amy, confirmed just how close to death the former UFC star had come on multiple occasions. Askren’s insurance initially refused to cover the critical transplant, sparking a rally of support from the global MMA community. Now Askren has expressed his surprise to be told he had two new lungs.
“When I woke up, I had two new lungs. They called it necrotizing pneumonia. Prior to going to the hospital, I felt fine—I’d even worked out. It was shocking. One doctor told my wife I wouldn’t make it; another friend said my heart stopped for 20 seconds. I don’t remember it, but I was on so many machines to stay alive,” Askren said
Askren’s Appreciation
Askren also thanked Jake Paul and Dana White for supporting his medical bills. Jake has history with Askren, having boxed him during the early parts of his career. Paul would go on to stop Askren, but Paul still had the former Bellator and ONE Champion title holder in his mind. Jake has been vocal about UFC fighters not getting paid enough, as Askren’s health issues highlighted the need to look after fighters once they retire. Paul and White stepped up, with Askren having nothing but praise for them.
“Jake Paul and Dana White both donated and were very generous. I don’t expect anything out of him, if they don’t want to, they don’t want to, it’s their money, they should be able to do what they want with it. And I’m grateful that they felt generous enough but then also we don’t want to talk about it too much because there was more than a thousand people that made some donations.
“10 thousand dollar for someone whose got many millions, versus 25 dollars for someone that doesn’t have anything, that’s just as big of a burden on that person. “We had so many people that were really really generous. Those guys were both generous, it’s almost funny when it comes from, I don’t know if you call them enemies, just people you haven’t seen eye to eye with. “But that brings out the good side in humanity I think,” Askren said
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