Good morning @thomason You have really been through the wringer, haven’t you. Sounds like, with your help, the doctors took good care of you. Thank heavens you could tell us all about it!
As for trach tubes vrs, intubation with sedation; trach tubes are used for long-term problems mostly and can lead to infections when put in since the skin has to be cut into. Sedation along with intubation is necessary for several reasons. One, the tube is uncomfortable and, two, sedation provided needed rest for the entire body so it can heal. When one is sick, they tend to move around a lot and this is more work for the body. Third, the ventilator provides a sterile source of oxygen
I hope this helps some. And I hope you get, better soon!