They say the best Christmas gifts come in small packages. This year, mine came in the form of two small, high-tech implants and a world-class surgical team.
On December 21st, I underwent a procedure I had been anticipating for a long time: Anterior Cervical Disc Replacement (ACDR). While I was fortunate that my mobility hadn’t become severely limited, I had been battling constant, grueling neck pain for the last 12 months. Anyone who has dealt with chronic pain knows how it sits in the background of everything you do, slowly draining your energy and focus.
The timing was a bit of a holiday whirlwind, but by Christmas Day, I was back home—resting on the sofa and spending quality time with my family. Being home for the holidays, recovering in the company of the people I love most, was the ultimate gift. It wasn’t your traditional “unboxing,” but it’s easily the most valuable present I’ve ever received: the gift of starting a new year with a path toward being pain-free.
As I move into 2026, this recovery period has given me a rare commodity: perspective. I’m not just healing my neck; I’m recalibrating my entire approach to life, work, and family.
The 2026 Resolution: The “Tech-Powered” Human
While my new neck discs are a feat of medical engineering, they’ve inspired me to look at how I can use technology in other areas of my life. My resolution for 2026 isn’t about “doing more”—it’s about leveraging technology to be more present.
After a year of pushing through pain, I want to use the tools available to me to boost my efficiency while protecting my health. Here is how I’m planning to fuel my comeback:
Boosting Family Life: I’m leaning into smart-home automation and shared digital planning to remove the “mental load” of household management. By letting tech handle the grocery lists and schedules, I can focus 100% on being present with my family as I recover.
Healing with Intent
This year is going to look a little different. There will be physical therapy, plenty of rest, and a steady climb back to full strength. But with 12 months of pain finally behind me and two new discs to support me, I’ve never felt more optimistic.
Recovery isn’t just about getting back to “normal”; it’s about building a life that is more balanced and intentional than before. Here’s to a 2026 that is tech-enabled, family-focused, and—most importantly—moving forward.
“The goal isn’t just to heal, but to thrive.”