I don't know if it is worth it, but yes there is a way back to stock with this phone. You'll see me post this often: find out how to undo that which you are about to do. You're on the right path
Root it! I didnt install the lag fix. From all I have read, the lagfix is just to make you quadrant score go up, nothing more. I deleted all other verizon junk they force on you. One of these days im going to get rid of bing.
you can install cmrecovery now and make a nandroid backup. Already have mine backed up, I can always restore if needed. Lagfix also makes nandroid backups take, longer than usuall from what I have read.