Update:
So while waiting for the door latch assembly to come in, I've been slowly working to get the door open for the past 2 weeks
After weighing out my options of wrecking the door panel or drilling through the "B" pillar from the inside. I decided to drill for the following reasons:
1)Replacement was extremely hard/expensive to find in my area, especially in tan color.
2)Even if I got the panel off, there was no guarantee that I was still able to release the door latch from inside the door.
Here is what I did to open the door while saving the interior panel:
a) removed interior "B" pillar panels/trim on both pass and driver side (area where the seat belt anchors).
b) Applied masking tape on areas I was drilling. Using the passenger side as a template for measurements and started drawing lines with a straight edge. The goal here was to locate were to drill so I can drill out the "U" shaped door latch anchor in the b-pillar.
c) Once that was done, transfer all the dimensions over to the drivers side. I used one of the panel attachment holes for reference.
d) drilled with a 1/4" bit, be sure to angle the drill right to hit the "U" anchor. I repeatedly went be to the pass side to confirm that the proper angle was used to hold the drill. You will need to drill through 3 layers of sheet metal. Once I was through, use a flash light to peek in. I was surprised that I could see the silver anchor. Continued drilling with a longer bit,approx 5" deep(remember you need to drill through both sides of the anchor and rear of the door latch hook) and with a swift kick from the inside; the door flew open.
e) the rest was easy. replaced the door latch and door latch anchor.
f) painted and taped up the holes.
g) I'm one happy camper, Door latch costed $75 off ebay (new opened box OEM part and anchor was free from junk yard.)