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

The same tools 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 surprised them by waking up just a day and a half later. Then walked out of that hospital in 8 days, determined to live.

A few years later, had a bad fall that led to a pulmonary embolism – blood clot 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, refused to believe it.

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

It paid off on January 23, 2016, when 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 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, set myself to run two 5k races within six months post-surgery. worked hard – mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally – to rebuild myself. I became the “Lung Transplant Stonemason” and returned to the places and communities where had built my career and reputation. As a two-time double lung transplant recipient, 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.

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 had made. My world seemed very dark, and 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, resumed stonework at 51 years old. Thank you, Rico.

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 was fed up hearing about someone else’s accomplishments. It’s about finding light, even in the darkest of times. 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. choose to fight and persist every single day. Even during my worst days, found gratitude – it’s a lesson

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 selflove 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. used to learn my lessons the hard way, but I’ve grown and adapted over the years. Now, 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 selfsabotage. 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.