Know anyone who had a neck dissection and lived through it or barely?

I think the problem here is that you a reading an old book. The technique was first described in the late 19th century when it most probably was a “bloody, brutal procedure”. Nowadays people are apparently able to leave hospital 2–3 days after surgery depending on how extensive the surgery was as the technique has been developed to spare as much healthy tissue as possible.

Mind you having said that in grand scheme of things there are probably better ways to spend your time.

The victims on WebMd and other sites say the aftereffects are dreadful. Many say they feel like a tight rope is wrapped around their neck all day and night. Others state they cannot turn their head anymore so can’t drive. Fewer say they removed enough of their voice box that they cannot speak above a whisper. These people say the doctor states they might get their voices back in time.
I assumed that surgeons have always tried to conserve as much tissue as possible. I looked for just a single youtube for a post op report and only found one.