I am struggling with the decision over having this surgery or not. I have exhausted all other possibilities including NSAIDs, PT, exercise, traction, TENS, etc. The pain is growing and I am concerned about waiting, but reading these threads has me frantic with worry about recovering and getting back to work. I live alone and have some friends that can help out but nonetheless I am amazed at some of the lengthy recovery times and wondering how I will manage. When I had an appendectomy 13 years ago I spasmed alot near the incision site and wound up with an incisional hernia. I don't know how I'll react to a neck wound like this and I worry that I'll never be able to swallow or breathe normally again. I'm a 46 y-o male. I also have spondylosis that has gotten much worse with all the exercises for my neck that I have been doing, pain down the whole right side down to the knee, and I'm worried about that also. Any advice would be welcome. Thanks!