Transmission problems-96 Lumina

[Enemy459]

I pulled over to yield for a fire engine and once I accelerated, the car went from 1st into 2nd gear, jolted, and I was unable to get it out of 1st gear. It would only drive 15-20 mph, then it seemed to switch gears, and then fall back. I managed to get it home and now it seems that neutral and reverse are gone since there is only a ticking sound when I have changed into these gears as well as in park now. I am no car expert and want opinions on if my transmission is just totally screwed or if there could possibly be a much cheaper fix than having it taken to a transmission repair shop where I would be at their mercy ($$$). I have been told that the simplest thing to check for is the ATF level but even I am having trouble reading the level as it seems that the dipstick reading only appears on half of the dipstick, I don't mean halfway between cold and hot readings but holding the dipstick at eye level, only the bottom half of the dipstick shows the level. All advice would be greatly appreciated.

[richtazz]

sounds like either the torque converter or front pump took a dump on you.