Q: Anyone out there knows more than Apple support? No service after 9.2.1 update. Argh! Help! Help! Help!

I Have a first generation iPad mini. It has built in WiFi and cellular service with AT&T. I update to 9.2.1 after pinged with notifications to update to the new OS. I updated and now it says that I have No service. I have done everything that was advised to remedy it and I got no where. I reset network setting. It would connect and disconnect within 30 seconds and remain disconnected. Airplane mode tried and no help. Turned cell data off & on and zilch. I finally broke done and reset, erasing all content and settings. I backed up to iCloud before I reset. Hopefully, my content is in the cloud. Where ever that may be. Still aggravating No service. I finally threw in the towel and called Apple support. Placed on hold for 10 mins and transferred to someone that was no help at all. She advised me to call my carrier which I promptly hung up and called AT&T. On hold again but only for 2 mins and a great guy, tried everything to troubleshoot the problem. He told me that my SIM card was unable receive the cell signal. He said that my SIM card was bad and I needed a new one which may or may not fix the problem. He told me to go to the Apple store and have them look at my issue and possibly repai or change my SIM card. Why did an update kill my sim card and how does that happen? I spent my whole weekend driving myself crazy trying to fix the destruction of this update! I have to have my iPad connected by the time that I have to work onMnday. I'm stuck on an ambulance for 12 hours. No Netflix, Hulu or Facebook in between running calls and saving lives? It will be like **** on earth. I think Apple owes all of us that are having issues with their bug infested update, a new iPad or a quick software fix. You get an iPad and you get an iPad. we all get a new iPad. Oprah did it and Apple has more money than her. At least, I think they do. Fix this, please, now. Call, text, email or just post the fix. Fix my SIM card from the comfort of my home or my ambulance. I don't have time to waste my precious days off waiting in line at your store. I have a family that I rarely see, a house that needs cleaned and a life to enjoy. Anyway, my question is...   Does anyone know a way to fix this? A home remedy because Apple support has, so far, been useless. Thank you in advance to all the tech guys that will respond with the solution. I will owe ya big one which is a good thing Its always good when a Medic owes ya one.