Breathless to Boundless: A Double Lung Transplant Stonemason’s Epic Fight From Dying to Living with Purpose

BY: Mark Rodriguez

There's no denying the power of resilience.

I've had my fair share of hardships with two double lung transplants and countless health challenges – yet here I am. Three and a half years after my first lung transplant, I was told I had two months to live. I died on the operating table after my second lung transplant, fell into a coma that lasted for nine days, went through four more surgeries, and had a month-long stay in the hospital, after which I was unable to walk and became wheelchair-bound.

Despite all these, I was able to turn things around and do some tough work mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally to rebuild myself. I ran two 5k races six months after my second lung transplant, reignited my passion for stone masonry, and married the love of my life, Sandra. Now, I am speaking on different stages to inspire and empower others.

From these experiences, I have learned that tenacity isn't about never falling but about picking yourself up, time after time. It's all about the mindset. My recovery and the strength to push through came from a warrior mentality, and my faith and refusal to quit carried me through the most challenging times.

My story began in October of 2010 when my world turned upside down. As a thriving stonemason, I was diagnosed with silicosis, a lung disease that came from the very essence of my work – inhaling bits of silica from the rocks I cherished. The blow landed harder than any hammer I've ever struck my chisel with.

I struggled for a year, and every breath became an ordeal. It felt like trying to breathe through a straw that was getting smaller and smaller. Then, on October 11, 2011, I found myself on a surgical table, with my lungs removed by a hammer and chisel. The same tools I loved and used for my stonemasonry work were now part of my near-death experience and were being used to save my life. Oh, the irony.

Doctors expected me to remain in a coma for a week, but I surprised them by waking up just a day and a half later. Then I walked out of that hospital in 8 days, determined to live.

A few years later, I had a bad fall that led to a pulmonary embolism – a blood clot I was supposed to die from would land me back at death's doorstep. The team that carried out my first transplant delivered the devastating news: they could do no more for me, and I had just two months to live.

However, I refused to believe it. Unless I had a direct call from God, I wasn't giving up the fight. My healthcare providers had quit, but to their surprise and disbelief, I clung to life with unyielding resolve.

It paid off on January 23, 2016, when I got the call for my second transplant. It felt like a miracle arriving just in time, as I was teetering on the edge of life. The surgery was intense. I died on the operating table, went into a nine-day coma, and endured a month-long hospital stay with four additional surgeries.

Despite the difficult recovery, especially with my weight dropping to 120 lbs and being in a wheelchair before my lung transplant, I set myself to run two 5k races within six months post-surgery.

After such an ordeal, it was hard to find my purpose. It was difficult to carry on because of my medical challenges and some poor decisions I had made. My world seemed very dark, and I felt lost.

Then, in August 2020, a conversation with a dear friend sparked something within me. He challenged me to return to my stonework, family, and life. I accepted the challenge, and against all odds, I resumed stonework at 51 years old. Thank you, Rico.

I worked hard – mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally – to rebuild myself. I became the "Lung Transplant Stonemason" and returned to the places and communities where I had built my career and reputation. As a two-time double lung transplant recipient, I know I'm the first in the world to accomplish this. And now, I use my journey as a platform to spread a message of resilience, faith, and perseverance.

I've learned that to persevere, you must be persistent. Life is a gift, and we should embrace each day, no matter its challenges. We're all warriors deep down, each one capable of overcoming our obstacles. It all comes down to finding our inner strength and tapping into it.

My journey and struggles all led me to a path where I get the opportunity to inspire people. I found my true purpose by shifting the focus from me to you. Indeed, there's no feeling like what you get from serving others.

The power of faith and positivity are crucial in overcoming any challenge, and it's a lesson I've learned firsthand. Our minds can either become our biggest allies or our worst enemies – the key is in silencing the negative and fostering the positive.

I've been acutely aware that my battle may inspire others in their health challenges, so my journey hasn't just been about me. Living by example and refusing to quit has been as much for them as for me.

Growing up, I had the best role models. My Dad, a Hall of Fame Basketball Coach, never let me quit anything, instilling resilience in me. And my Momma taught me the value of unwavering faith.

You must face your fears and doubts because running away won't solve anything. My advice? Starve your fears, your doubts. Don't let them grow into monsters.

Humor and perspective have been my lifelines, like when I ran two 5K races just because I was fed up hearing about someone else's accomplishments. It's about finding light, even in the darkest of times. You can talk all you want about courage, resilience, and determination, but what truly counts is the action behind those words. It's in the doing, not just the saying.

I've learned the importance of self-love and resilience. Love yourself and your life so much that quitting isn't an option. Let your self-worth and love for life be the motivators that keep you going.

I used to learn my lessons the hard way, but I've grown and adapted over the years. Now, I strive to learn from my mistakes and turn them into stepping stones for growth, knowing that only healing leads to that growth.

Believe in yourself. Eliminate self-sabotage. I'm living proof that you can accomplish anything with self-belief and a positive mindset. Your challenges and struggles can be your greatest testimonies. I truly believe that God can turn our mess into a message, our tests into our testimonies. God took my impossible and turned it into I'm possible.

We're all warriors at heart, and the choice to tap into that inner warrior or give up lies within us. I choose to fight and persist every single day. Even during my worst days, I found gratitude – it's a lesson I hold dear. So, thank you, my beautiful Daughter Mari, for being my why, and to my two ANGELHEROES for saving me with the Gift of Life.

Finally, live in the present, and even when life throws you curve balls, learn to hit them. Refrain from dwelling on what was or fretting about what will be. Each day is a gift, giving you a chance to live fully and make the most of it. It's why they call it the present, after all.

About the Author:

Mark is the only stonemason to practice Stonemasonry after two double lung transplants. Throughout his numerous health challenges, he reconnected with his power and strength, taking them to a new level spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. He loves life fully and knows the true meaning of BREATHE: Believe Relentlessly Every time you're Attempting Tasks of Healing & Enlightenment.

Find out more about Mark:

1. Website

2. Facebook