Yikes, barko. Makes me hurt just lookin at it.
I've spent about 15 years avoiding the knife. (L2-3-4-5....C-2-3-4) It seems once you start there is no end. (it took me many years/queries to my doc before he finally told me this)
I hope it all works out for ya and things heal quickly so you can "get out there"!
mtn