Hope all goes well. I may know the pain your in. Blew out three upper disc's in neck. Two went forward, no major problem for now. Third went towards rear pressing on or against spinal cord. There is no pain comparable to nerve pain. No fusion. They replaced the disc. A artificial disc is Prestige disc. First used in US in 2008. Prestige had a surgeon present in op room working with hospital surgeon.
You will be a lot better after surgery. Good luck man, thoughts are with you.