I'm so sorry to hear of you experiencing this pain. For me it's an awful memory, thankfully.......
In 2007 I had a C6-7 disc "extrude" or become empty, causing excruciating pain in the entire upper right quadrant of my body (head to just below the ribs). When I had the disc replaced by a neurosurgeon, the pain immediately disappeared, and the only recovery was using a hard cervical collar for about a month. In addition to no pain, I have complete range of motion, which in my understanding is very different from having a fusion. I am not medically trained in any way, but I would suggest looking into this if at all possible.
I wish you the very best in your recovery.