Ben Ascle made his first public comment Wednesday after undergoing double lung transplant surgery after being hospitalized with severe pneumonia.
The retired UFC fighter and former Bellator champion were awake at various moments during their hospitalization, but his wife, Amy Askillen, said he was almost unconscious as doctors tried to save their lives. Eventually, Askren received the double lung transplant he needed. Now he is awake again, reacting, and publicly responding to his health for the first time.
“I just read my wife’s diary because I don’t remember anything from May 28th to July 2nd,” Askren revealed in a video posted to Instagram. “I have no memories. I don’t know. I don’t know what happened. I read my wife’s magazine and it’s like a movie. That’s ridiculous.”
His memory is clearly fogged at best, but Askren reveals that his mind actually stopped several times when the doctor fought to save him.
He also lost an incredible amount of weight while in hospital and was eventually able to undergo double lung transplant surgery.
“I only died four times after the ticker stopped for about 20 seconds,” Askren says. “It’s not ideal, but I had a double lung transplant. I put it on the other side. I gained a lot of strength and learned to use everything again.
“I’m 147 pounds yesterday. I wasn’t 147 pounds since I was 15. So, 50 pounds (lost) in 45 days. It was a fight. I don’t remember much.”
Askren’s recovery is still ongoing and he did not say how long he will have to stay in the hospital after the lung transplant surgery. Typical recovery takes several months, but the biggest risk comes in the first few days after surgery when a patient is at risk of infection or rejection.
The veteran fighter jet and the 2008 Olympic wrestler also addressed the numerous messages and pours of support they received while in hospital.
“What influenced me most was all the love I felt from everyone,” Asperen said. “It was like I started to have my own funeral. I still remember 30 years ago. Dave Schultz was dead, you remember all these seniors, how much fun they enjoyed themselves, how much they loved him, and he clearly couldn’t hear it.
“I love you guys. I thank you all. It’s been tough not only for me, but for the whole family and my close community. I’m grateful for everything.”