I can understand his fear. I have a permanent trach and the one fear I had after surgery was that I was going to stop breathing and have no way to tell someone since I also was unable to speak from time to time. I have always had a fear of being buried alive, so this didn't help. FEAR was an emotion I really didn't know until after I had the surgery. I wouldn't let my husband out of my sight. While I never had a panic attack, I was SCARED TO DEATH. I bought a large bell that I could ring in case he didn't hear me. While your faher won't need this, I sent letters to both fire and police notifying them of my condition as a neck breather. It took a good 8 weeks before I was comfortable with the trach.

I think if you could identify why your father has this fear that the trach won't work and he will stop breathing, you or he might be able to take some action that will help mollify this fear. Meanwhile meds for panic are good idea. Tell him I'm now 6 1/2 years out of surgery and haven't stopped breathing yet.

Take care,
Eileen