jenn,

no, you can't read the pictures, too complicated and you'd need yrs of training plus medical school. that's why radiologists are drs.

yes, herniated discs can be tx'd. the dr will know what to do.

please take some deep breathes and take one thing and one day at a time.
that advice has kept me sane. there's just no sense in trying to forecast the future and the what if's. just deal with what's in front of you at the time.

if you can do that YOU will be in control and things won't control you.
i found that if i could come up with a plan if ABorC happened i felt more in control. say, if i fell down and couldn't reach the phone. then, i could get one of those buttons that summon help. it's those kinds of things that calm fears.