Hi @FeR it sounds like you’ve had a rough time of it so I’m sending you big virtual hugs.
@arpie’s post has some great information in it and we do have a triple positive group you can join.
I was triple positive (diagnosed in Jan 2023) and I also had targetted TCHP neo adjuvant treatment.
It’s no cakewalk, that’s for sure.
I did struggle with a range of things including sunburn-like redness and heat on my hands, face and feet. I was hit by jet lag like fatigue. Some things I experienced included losing my sense of taste, my appetite, mouth ulcers, thrush, hair falling out and later on in the regime I began to experience diarrhoea. I am glad the dose has been reduced a bit for you, this was the case for me too and it did halt the worsening of my redness on my face.
My tumour responded well despite the dose reduction and shrank by the time surgery went ahead.
My coping strategy was to remind myself that the chemo was doing its thing and I took the anti nausea tablets the oncologist prescribed. I just tried to focus on each 3 week phase and generally began to feel more myself by the third week. To preserve energy I paced myself and went into a bit of self imposed lock down, listening to audiobooks, sleeping if needed, and just seeing a handful of folks for short visits on weekends or weeks two weeks after the chemo during the TCHP phase. I relied on my very supportive husband to ferry me to appointments and I was very grateful to receive beautiful home cooked soups and soft food that I could eat.
After the fourth dose the oncologist discussed the side effects with me and said I could try having small doses weekly, instead of the regular dose every three weeks, to see if it was better tolerated.
I opted to stay in the three week cycle.
I found starting a specialised oncology exercise physiology program with the hospital a very positive thing, as I was experiencing loss of strength and the program helped me feel like I could rebuild it.
The adjuvant treatment was much more manageable. I finished the treatment at the end of April and am all clear.
Very happy to chat more if you have any questions and sending you ❤️🌻 best wishes for getting through this next few days and weeks.