help! F1 back to china with AP, safe?

My hu*****and and I are in 485 pending. We got AP and EAD in Oct.
I am also a student in F1 status. I plan to go back China with AP. But the ISO in my school told me if I come back USA using AP, I will lose my F1 status. My lawyer also confirmed that is true.

Now I am worrying about that if our application of 485 fails before I graduate(it should be in 2-3 years), and I also lose my F1 status since I will use AP to return to USA this christmas, then what shall I do? It seems I won't be allowed to continue my study if such case happens.

Any suggestion on my going back to china this Christmas? Is it safe? Or shall I wait until our 485 is approved? (I haven't been back home for more than 3 years).

Is there anyone encounter the same situation? Any suggestions? I will be highly appreciated.