Migraine a la 2.1! Please HELP!

2.1 update deleted 95% of my contacts. Brother has the same phone, didn't delete any of his contacts. I have a .vcf file of my contacts backed-up into my comp and into g-mail. Sync will not recognize this. Phone disagrees with me on whether or not I have an SD card. About to brick this damn thing by free will.
I am a nurse, not a cell-phone friendly person. This is driving me CRAZY. If anyone can help, please, please do--and go slow. I'm not tech-savvy.
Thanks so much to anyone who can help :)

Sidenote: I will not rule out the possibility that I am doing things incorrectly. It is 100% possible that I am doing something wrong. I downloaded the vCardIO app and it hasn't helped me...at all. :(

My contacts also got wiped at first. If you give it time they should return. It can take up to 24 hours though from what I've heard.