Good morning (or evening to some of you)! Today’s the big day. The long-awaited knee reconstruction is here. Funny enough, I’m actually asleep in the operating room as you read this. Don’t worry, I’m enjoying my nap and I hope you find the same joy reading the second to last entry of 2025.
Where do I start? It’s been a hell of a year in every possible way. Physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, etc. Considering how the year started (a couple of weeks removed from surgery #2 and watching the Avicii documentary with Palina), there has been major progress (and pain) ever since. Luckily, most of you have been along for that ride and as always, I’m extremely grateful.
Before we cross into 2026, I’d like to call out something myself and many of my friends have noticed. Something is coming. Oddly enough, none of us can put a finger on what it is. It’s like cruising down Mulholland Drive’s “Snake” section, hairpin turns and all. Even though you’re not driving fast, blind corners await you every quarter mile. As 2025 comes to a close, we’re all approaching “The Corner.”
The “Snake” awaits…
As someone who actually enjoys living in the gray area of life, this unfamiliarity is a feeling I’ve grown accustomed to. It’s gotten me this far, so I have no plans of abandoning it anytime soon. Why? Because it’s given me the ability to remain confident no matter what may be waiting for me around the next corner.
Let’s take today’s surgery example. The plan is a simple ACL reconstruction. Yet, due to the inconclusiveness of my most recent MRI, there could be potential LCL, hamstring, PCL, and meniscus repairs. There won’t be any definitive answers until I’m asleep and they stress test my knee to see just how stable it is. Wild, right? The last time I had one of these “we’re going to do this” surgeries, I woke up 10 hours later with 4 metal rods in my leg.
We’ve come further than they ever thought we would.
My aggressive surgery history over the last 15 months would make most uneasy, but I’m looking forward to the physical pain of this afternoon and coming days. The reason being: I’ve f*cking made it to the end of the surgical road. THIS is the last thing to fix and barring any future complications, I can put the darkest chapter of my life behind me.
Most importantly, this afternoon will allow me to enter a phase I’ve been longing for since 2024. The “No Excuses” phase. After this surgery is over, I won’t have any more reasons to not go all in on my dreams and goals. No more “I’ve gotta wait until my next surgery” or “After my last surgery, I’ll finally do ____.” Accountability is feverishly awaiting my arrival this evening and I can’t wait to see my old friend face-to-face.
I’m intentionally keeping this week short, because the last entry of 2025 will be a lot. 2026 will be the year I reclaim everything I’ve lost ever since the injury and I want to share that with you all because you’re a part of this story now. I’m doing this for you, me, and this kid below who would see this version of me -not the pro athlete one- as his favorite superhero.
Doing it for you, kiddo.
Have a great week, happy holidays and I’ll see you all on the other side 🏁
-CE