Hi Vicki,

Sorry I didn't get a chance to respond to you sooner. I don't recall having any unpleasant taste in my mouth once the trach was removed but anything is possible. After almost a year since end of treatment I've finally gotten rid of that awful metallic taste in my mouth. I really didn't have any problems with breathing - at least nothing drastic that I can remember. I remember being real careful in plugging the hole through the bandage when I talked and/or coughed until it had healed completely. If I recall correctly, you've had your trach much, much longer than I did and I thought I remember that you once posted that it didn't "fit" right. My thinking (remember just my thinking) is that having to stop and take a breath to finish a sentence is normal. I did find that I was so nervous about talking that when I did, I tended to rush rather than taking it slow and taking a moment to breathe between sentences/phrases. Give yourself time, Vicki, you're doing great! Unfortunately time and patience have become the two words I hate most but find them in my every thoughts now when I try to measure my progress.

Keep it up, you're on your way!

Hugs, Nancy