I have had spine surgery too. Not like you, I had a discectomy but at 2 levels.

I am just as bad today as I was back then before I had the surgery. My father has had 2 back surgeries and 2 neck surgeries, and we agree on one thing, back pian is generally chronic, to some extent even after surgery.

I don't like being in pain, and often entertain the idea of having another surgery, but I have alot of scar tissue, and this is a concern for the surgeon.

If you have the surgery will it fix you? And for how long? If the answer is "yes" it will fix the problem, and you will not be in pain anymore, than I would embrace it.

If it's not likely to fix the problem or your pain levels will be similar, than I would try the other more conservative approaches first.
I know your a tough girl but just listening to your description of the procedure gave me the "willies"!

It's nice that David was there with you, that's great that you have that support!