I'm not so sure about conversation not being your strong suit ... if you react to Vicodin at all like I do, you'll be a very amusing conversationalist when you're awake. ;)

Please, please try not to let the nature of what's going on scare you. This is not the 1950s, or even the 1990s; what can be done today, surgically, is truly amazing. (So says the queen of cervical osteophytes.) I understand that surgery is never a pleasant option, but it *is* an option today, and one with far fewer risks than ever in the past. You will *not* have to live with this level of pain from now on -- no matter what works best for you, that's pretty much a given. {{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}

And I'm sure you'll be the cutest glazed carrot in MA. :)