Nancy, Thank you so much for answering me. I have had my trache for 8 months to the day. I am having a hard time breathing tho. I mean I can breath however it is like someone is sitting on me. Not all the time tho. I am very concerned by this. I had it capped for a while tho you are right when you said that it didn't fit. The hole was to to big for the size 4 trache that I had. That is a very small trache too. I am thinking that even tho I had it capped off, the air that was leaking out the sides from the hole, is why I am having this difficulty in breathing now. For it was never really closed off. See what I am saying. My throat is so so dry, remember that I don't take anything by mouth. We started but the we stopped for one week per my DOCTOR. I started using the TOOTHETTES to get some water in the throat area. I also have a lot and I mean a lot of flem, mucous whatever you call it. Since I have no tongue I cannot get it all the way out. I use the suction machine for this. Lord I prayed so long and so hard to get this thing out, now I feel like such a let down to myself. I didn't think of all this. Go figure. Did you have anything like this at the beginning of this. I have sent you a private email as well. If anyone can help answer some of my questions please jump in. If this is normal then at least I will know and I won't be afraid. Thank you so much Miss Vicki