This is from my friend stating how this happened:

On August 11, 2015 I had an emergency appendectomy with IV. Went home after that and went to bed for two days. Part of the plastic IV cover fell away and we looked for it at the time they were releasing me from hospital. We tried to find the last piece as I was preparing to leave from hospital in Ft. Worth.

During my recuperation/sleep at home I somehow breathed the piece, that I am surmising stuck to my arm, into my throat. I tried for two days to cough it up and eventually went to the ER. They took an x-Ray and saw nothing and sent me home. Two weeks or so later went to another ER and they did another X-ray and sent me home again. Went to ENT and he videoed throat in late August early September 2015. Then, In early October he did outpatient surgery to find it. Found nothing.
He thought it was in my head/imagined from irritation of appendectomy anesthesia. Sent me to UT southwestern. That specialist, in January of 2016, videoed throat and found nothing. Sent me home with recommendation of cough drops and to come back later if it really bothered me. Offered lyrica if uncomfortable. Was able to deal with discomfort for last nine months until began losing voice about 6 weeks ago. Getting more uncomfortable.
Called UT SW and requested a sonogram or something further. Dr had Cat-scan done. He called yesterday and said cat/scan showed a jagged piece of plastic embedded three centimeters below surface in throat below where tongue ends in throat.

Dr. described object as next to artery and creates a very delicate situation. Also advised could have permanent pain from surgery due to invasiveness of surgery and location. Or everything could go just fine. Have appointment with doctor on 23rd to see first-hand what he had described yesterday over phone. Dr didn't give odds or feel one way or other. Said I needed to decide. I'm hoarse all the time now.
Can get copy of cat-scan if needed. Bizarre situation.