Yes, call you oncology care team ASAP.

Get a verified diagnosis. Don’t assume something that will make you go crazy.

I had developed a rash following a seroma deep in my chest after my lumpectomy.

My breast was cut open and left to hang open so it could drain. (It never was sewn back closed, so I have a hole where it should be a nice little scar).

The fluid was almost done draining when radiation began. And that set off a terrible, painful rash and frightening episode in my treatment.

It was during Covid and contact with my health team was limited. The rash continued for two months following the end of radiation. Each doctor passed me on to the next and never addressed the issue.

It was at my annual ob/gyn appointment that I finally got someone to listen to me. She sent me immediately that day to radiology and the doctor there was very grave and said he suspected IBC.

With that diagnosis, the wheels of the medical team turned quickly. In less than 20 minutes, I was seen by my oncologist.

He had to nerve to ask me why I hadn’t contacted him sooner!!!!! He looked at my enraged breast and diagnosed cellulitis. I was given instructions to leave the breast open to air and let it breathe.

That was in January.

It never did go away fully. It was an ER doctor in March, who looked at it. Left the room for 30 minutes. Came back and gave me his personal phone number and a topical steroid prescription. He told me if it wasn’t better in FOUR DAYS to contact him directly!

It healed up in two days. But I had suffered through thinking I had IBC for five months and having a persistent rash because not one of my team doctors would accept responsibility for mistakes they had made OR dealing with a patient who had an unexpected reaction to therapy. They didn’t know how to treat me and passed me onto another team member.

It was scary and frustrating.