Ben Askren‘s life took a sudden turn in late May leaving him fighting to survive. The former UFC fighter entered the hospital complaining about back pain and that’s the last thing he remembers. Askren was suffering from a life threatening lung infection, underwent a double lung transplant. After 59 days he was released only to be back at the hospital six days later.
On Monday (July 28), Askren posted a video to social media from his hospital bed. He was readmitted after his first check up to treat a potential infection.
“As you guys can probably tell, I’m not home anymore, unfortunately. I had my first check up this morning. They didn’t like the way the last chest tube looked, thought it was infected, put me on some antibiotics and then had a few x-rays and hopefully we get this solved fast,” Askren said in the video.
“But right, Stockdale Paradox. It wasn’t always going to be smooth. It wasn’t always going to be easy. It wasn’t always going to be all the way up. Hopefully this is just a small hiccup and I’m back home getting stronger again.”
View the original article to see embedded media.
The day before being admitted back in the hospital, Askren posted a video exercising on a stationary bike. The 41 year-old does not remember anything from May 28 until July 2. He lost a considerable amount of weight in a short period of time and can’t walk without assistance. He vowed to improve his physical condition and return to as mush of a normal life as possible.
View the original article to see embedded media.
Askren has overcome the odds to be alive, but his battle isn’t over. An infection to a transplant patient can be a serious situation. Transplant patients take immunosuppressant medications needed to prevent organ rejection. The medications can lead to increased risk of infection.
