If you fully earned Gold status in 2011 (a total of 50K EQM between UA MP & CO OP), then your status is good until Jan 2013. The initial card will have Jan 2012 but that is SOP. You will be getting a new card that will show Jan 2013 -- but as you have read, there may be some delay in receiving the new card.
While you may not have a new card in Feb 2012, you status will still be valid. The only situation where the lack of new card might be an issue is access to certain *A partner lounges -- other threads cover that issue.

The supervisor entry / statement was just a away to get you off the phone -- it was not necessary nor will it likely have any impact.

If your 2011 status was by a challenge and you did not meet the Gold mileage requirement, then your status may expire earlier -- depending on the terms of your challenge.