My story is similar to Cheryl's. Trach was the worst part. I was in ICU about 3 days and was completely aware of everything. They made me walk around too. I remember the pain not being too bad, I just really really wanted the Trach gone and to be home. I think the worst pain was when one of the interns pulled out a drain in my neck without removing the stitches. I almost passed out and nearly stopped breathing. All in all I was in 7 days. It sucked but now it feels almost like a dream, like it happened to someone else. You can def do it! I'm over two years out from surgery and don't regret a minute.