Growth Spurt

I have these two cactus like plants in my front yard. I'm not sure exactly what they are, but after searching on the internet, I believe they're some sort of Century Plant. Anyway, overnight almost, they sprouted this very thick stalk which I have never seen them do before in the two plus years we've lived at this house.
If they are what I think they are, they may just grow that stalk into something that can be between 15 and 40 foot high!!! Then they're supposed to grow cauliflower like buds which will flower into small yellow flowers. Apparantly, this takes up all of the plant's energy and so the plant will then die. Please say it isn't so!
Some recommend digging out the stalk so that the whole process is interuppted, but there is a part of me that wants to see what will happen, and deep inside I'm thinking, "What the heck! We're moving in 2 months anyway, so if the plant dies it won't be my responsibility."
I understand that if you try to prune the plant and get sap on your skin, it burns like the devil and can be very hard to heal, so I think I'll leave it well alone and see what happens. Anyway, I might get some pictures of the pretty blooms as a keepsake.