Ugh Dave no! I don't want to accept this as your new normal. I can only imagine how you must be feeling right now. I am so sorry you are stuck on your back.
I know you have a lot of vertebra issues so I don't know if this would be comfortable for you or not.... Some people benefit from a light stretch, emphasis on light, of the cervical vertebrae. A person can do it for you gently or there is an over the door light traction device. Sounds like you've gone and gotten more impingement or knocked something off kilter in there. Do you benefit from massage? sometimes just the muscle tension from an injury and compensation is enough to throw things off and then hold them there.
I like the idea of a Dave shorthand.
several people here could use that. You could try sweet Eva's technique and start writing us some poetry instead.
I hope you feel better soon. I am sending gentle hugs and prayers for healing.