How active can I be while waiting for a cervical disc replacement?

[ClaireDx]

Hi,
I've been diagnosed with 5 slipped discs in my neck, 3 of which are severe (C3-4, C4-5 and C5-6 I think).  I saw a neurosurgeon this week and he immediately said my only real option is a removal and replacement of the C4-5 disc as this is pressing on my spinal column.  He said I could choose to leave it but the signs of numbness and weakness in my arm would only get worse and that any damage to the nerves is likely to be permanent.  So I've accepted I need surgery but now I have to wait 3 months before the operation and I'm terrified of every little bump or jostle, scared that any little mishap is going to make things so much worse.  Am I crazy?  The surgeon said I had to "live like a princess" and be really careful but I think I may be taking him too seriously. I commute to work by train every day and need to fly regularily with my job - the surgeon said I was OK to fly but I'm feeling really anxious about it now.  I'm wondering if rather than being a princess I'm being a drama queen?!
I'd love to hear from anyone else who's been through this.

[MZ33]

I have had 2 surgeries,the first was to relieve pain.
The first was C2C3 and trim back C4,this did help.
The 2nd was emergency next day surgery.It was
for severe cord compression C4C5C6 and this fusion
left me in chronic pain.Same surgeon and same hospital
and I was told it was a success because no promise was
made to relieve pain just that this is the hope.I also have
nerve damage and cant use my left arm.
I wish you the best,look around these sites and you will
see that multiple disc present a major problem with pain.
MZ33

[caregiver222]

Get yourself an inflatable seat cushion to sit on while in a car or train. Avoid a cervical collat because althoughy it willo provide temporary relief, the muscles atrophy rapidly and loss of muscle tone leaves you wedded to it.

I would definitely get a second opinion. I had a serious cervical injury with level ten pain and paralysis of an arm and hand(I couldn't hold a pencil ans was using a walker) and was advised to get surgery by two different physicians, as you have, and elected not to do so. A pain specialist (M.D.) and an MRI resulted in manipulation, axial traction and special exercises, which restored the discs to position.