My ex husband had an anterior cervical fusion as well, tons better after that surgery! I think you will do tons better after that!
Ask forgiveness, not permission.
Perfectly normal to be scared. The healthier you are going in, the better the results tho (& quicker recovery). You sound to be in very good shape (other than the back of course) so you'll be leading the pack at Moab next year, I'm sure.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Put a smiley after you say that Bub.
I had a spinal fusion back in 2004. I had a dislocated vertebra (L4) that was almost 9 millimeters forward from the rest of my spine. I had to have it or I wouldn't be walking much longer.
When the surgeon got in there to fuse it, it was shattered. After spending a few hours rebuilding it using donor bone, he did the fusion. I had to wear a turtle shell brace for 4 months and was pretty much home-bound.
Now I play sports and work out as often as I can. My biggest problem now is sleeping. After laying in bed 6 or 7 hours, I'm hurting pretty bad. Other than that, I do what I want. So, don't worry too much about the surgery.
That said, I would use it as a last resort. There are non-invasive treatments such as VAX-D that have a 75% success rate against disk bulges and ruptures.
My .02
Sam