Notes Disappeared Completely???

I was tried to link my videos from my phone to my computer, so I went to system pref>>icloud>>then checked the notes box, but then all of my notes that were under the 'icloud' tab deleted and were replaced with the ones from my phone. When I unchecked the box, those notes deleted too (but then i checked it again and they came back)

anyone else have this problem or ways to get my notes back? They were a couple years worth--and i really need them.

thanks <3