Kate
I am facing the same surgery. I injured my neck in 1983. Now the disc has gotten so bad that on the MRI you can see where it intrudes on the spinal cord from about 10 feet away. In addition to that bony spurs have developed from C5 to C7 impinging on the cord from that side. I have excrutiating pain in my right shoulder and arm and diminished motor control in my legs. I had a mylegram and the radiologist said it was even worse that the MRI. I've been dinking around with this since last Sept. PT, hydrotherapy, essential oils, pain killers, you name it I tried it. I don;t relish the idea of surgery but don't see where I have a choice. I wish you smooth sailing and remember that someone else is doing it about the same time. If you want to compare, e-mail me. Kate