imaginus, if you can cover the opening of the trach and still be able to draw in air, then you don't need the tube, right? Mine has been with me now for a few years, so I have grown used to having a trach. I do not wear an inner cannula, (makes it hard to breathe) and don't use a humidifier. Also, I remove the tube about four times a day to clean. That process doesn't have to be as complicated as the professionals say...I don't put gloves on, or any of that. I rinse it under hot water while cleaning it out with trach brush. Then pour some peroxide on and in the tube, rinse again with sterile water, and it is done. Takes about one minute...When I mow the lawn, I wear an HME, but other than that, it is open. Our situations are probably very different. If the opening to the trach is closed, I cannot breathe, as the vocal cords are blocking the airflow. I hope your situation improves, or you can have it removed. As for the after-effects of the radiation, you are so right. It should not affect everyone in a different way so dramatically. It doesn't really make sense. The redlight therapy is supposedly helpful to radiated tissue, and I did utilize a wand several times a day during and after radiation. Did it help? I do not know for sure. I DO know that being able to eat and drink is a blessing. Take Care.