Hi and welcome~ I'm so sorry this happened. It sounds like you've tried almost everything to avoid surgery.

I just want you to be aware that surgery probably will not ease your pain. Surgery is ONLY for mechanical problems. It is NOT for pain. Chances are good that you'll have the same pain or worse after surgery. You might be lucky and get pain relief, but don't count on it.

Also, there is the "domino effect." The levels above/below the surgery site will fail. That is because they have to take on more of the load. This happens all the time. Usually the doctors don't tell you this. So at some point in time, you will need more surgery. Then after that, THAT level below the surgery site will fail, and you'll need more surgery again. It's a vicious circle.

Make sure before your surgery that you have help on hand when you get home because you won't be able and won't WANT to do many things. Have some meals frozen so you won't have to cook. Make sure you have a "grabber/reacher" so you don't have to bend over to pick things up or don't have to reach to get things that are on high. You can get these at some pharmacies or health supply stores. You will probably come home with a hard collar to wear. You might want to purchase a SOFT collar to have on hand. I find this VERY handy to wear when my neck/headache becomes a problem. I wear it for a short time, and the pain reduces quickly. You can't wear them very long or else the neck muscles will atrophy, but just a couple of hours every now and then is fine.

Get all your laundry done ahead of time, plus any cleaning that needs doing -- get it all done before surgery. You won't be in ANY shape to do it after surgery!

I'm sure there are other things. I hope others chime in with other ideas. Take care and God bless! Hugs, Lee