Hello @phylissg,
Knowing nothing about your situation, I can only relate my own experience. For approximately one year after receiving radiation for a tumor in the throat (Pyriform Sinus), it was difficult to swallow and breathe. Later, it was determined my vocal cords are paralyzed. The radiation caused extreme mucus which was trapped behind my vocal cords. This was the reason I was on antibiotics for that entire year with constant lung infections. All that trapped mucus was causing it to infect my lungs. Thus, I consented to a life-saving operation and had a Tracheotomy. It has been the best thing, although it was dreaded in the beginning. Now, all that mucus can be easily coughed or suctioned out with no more lung infections. It may be something to consider. Having a Tracheotomy is not as bad as it sounds. Most days, I hardly notice the tube is there. Best Wishes.