Lower back is much safer than cervical (mine were cervical. When people fall off of a horse and are paralyzed from the neck down that is a cervical injury.) The next consideration is to get an experienced surgeon with a good track record. My doctor recommended this Dr because my Dr's mother travels all the way from India for him to perform the procedure.
Also, it is not always necessary to inject next to the epidural sac; often a 'facet block' will do the job. With the epidural injection, the trick is not to penetrate the epidural sac and touch the spinal cord; they use imaging to carefully place the needle point. I suppose they could anesthetise you - not sure.
My very deepest sympathies to both of you. Heartbreaking to hear of so much pain.