I am sorry for your pain and I do understand it. From the sound of it you do need surgery. Get that second opinion, and look up any words on your records that you do not understand on the PC. Lots of information on each word and what it means in relationship to what is said in your records can be found. I had C6-7 fail, and then 10 months ago a big surgery to correct all that was not done the first time by the particular surgeon I had. I had C-3-7 done. This was worth it to do, even though my surgery was really painful. I had curved my whole neck, and the vertebre were folding over on them selves, like the dear old ladies who get real hunched over. I wanted the surgery because of the pain and it worked for me. I wish you all the best and that you will get results with your physicians. Don't give you you have lots of living yet to do. Your kids do need you and I believe there is hope that you can get your life back. ginnie