From reading your posts, I feel this rod means a lot to you and is your favorite. With that thought in mind and I put myself in your "shoes", I would take it to someone who builds rods and have them look at it and advise you on if there is any damage to the rods strength. Let that person tell you what they would do to fix it. They could also advise you if they feel it should be sent back to the manufacturer for repair/replacement. I think you would be very upset if you just fished it as it is and it broke. Even if the strength of the rod is not damaged, you would be constantly worrying if it is which would be taking the pleasure of the fishing trip away.
Just take it to someone who knows rod building and refinishing and let them advise you on what should be done. Even if you have to send it back to the manufacturer and wait for them to repair/replace it, you would have peace of mind when fishing it after you got it back.
Just my opinion and what I would do and nothing more......
Warren
Fly fishing and fly tying are two things that I do, and when I am doing them, they are the only 2 things I think about. They clear my mind.