Not so good a path. Most Orthopods will want to go to surgery. First step is to see a PM&R doctor who can prescribe the necessary diagnostics and read those results.
Probably not. Unless you are routinely up at the high-end of the rev range (road course/strip work) oil/oil mist carry-over is minimal. I use one and liquid blow-by is significantly more during track outings than street use. I have minimal time under my belt though...
^They gave you a date when parts would become available. I don't think it's fair to say they don't care but if you want to bitch about this that and the other then go ahead...
If I could turn back time, I'd have waited on a purchase until I read enough about other's problems and proceed to turn & run. Though it's hard to gauge how many '18s will grenade from a percentage standpoint, I don't like wondering every 100 miles or so whether mine will be the next. Looming...