I wouldn't think of homeschooling as a binary decision. There really is a continuum of options that are available. In your shoes, I would check with the school about options for part-time enrolment, the possibility of dual enrolment with colleges or universities, participating in home school coops or e-learning with gifted-focused courses (e.g. AOPS, athena, G3, etc.), project based independent learning,...
And on the "career trashing" front, I hear you MegMeg! I've committed to a comfortable position that gives me good work-life balance specifically with DS' needs in mind. It's not what I would choose for myself absent having DS, because I'm a bit of a workaholic striver by nature, but I can be in the 1% or have a happy, healthy child. I'd like to have the ability to homeschool (even part-time) when DS is older, should he need it, and this path gives me that option.
Sending you hugs and courage as you explore your options! But remember, nothing you do is irreversible.
