dear loner4life,
Welcome to PC, good people here, I hope you find what you are seeking for.
As you said the last year has been in complete turmoil could equate to too much talking without any improvement therefore a hoarse throat in the dream.
Waking up with a hoarse throat could be you slept with your mouth open.
Question, are you a smoker or living with a smoker?
If so, maybe time to quit or ask smoker to go outside.
Make an appointment for the doctor and see what they say.
I am in the process of quitting, I am on the patch and use the thing that looks like a small cigar. It has been beneficial, not smoke free but getting there.
ENT, ear, nose, throat doctor would also be a good idea.
I believe dreams often occur for a reason, again I hope you find this site useful.
Happiedasiy