The word tracheostomy often evokes feelings of fear and anxiety in patients. The thought of a hole in the front of the neck is overwhelming, especially in connection with a cancer diagnosis. It is hard to imagine returning to a normal life after this procedure, and contemplating the care required can be daunting. These concerns are natural. However, while having a tracheostomy can be life altering, it is not debilitating. The tracheotomy procedure is performed fairly commonly in head and neck cancer patients. In this procedure, a hole is surgically created in the front of the neck and into...