I finally had my trach removed 4 days ago, 6 weeks after all my radiation was finished. The surgeon checked with a scope through my nose and found no swelling in the area so he took the trach out. I feel so much better without the constant irritation which was worse after the radiation is all done. I suspect it was due to the swelling of the tissues and the trach is touching the inner lining more frequently. I was constantly coughing violently until the trach was gone.

Starting last night, I feel occasionally, the breathing is restricted and I have to cough to clear what feels like phlegm in the throat. Then the breathing becomes normal again. This happens every couple of hours.

Does anyone have similar experience? Is this normal? Is it because the trach site is healing and the body is producing more mucous to fight any potential infection?

Joseph 59 male
pain in tongue strt 2/10/12, Dx SCC 3/19/12, confirmed Stg IV 4/5/12,
Total Glsctmy & recon w/ flap from L thigh, neck disct, trach 4/27/12
G-Tube 5/1/12
55 nodes all clear
completed 2 chemo 33 rad
non-smoker, non-drinker, exercise daily, mostly vegetarian diet...go figure