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When I was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer, I learned that not all breast cancers behave the same. Mine was Invasive Lobular Breast Cancer (ILC)—a type that is often misunderstood and harder to detect.

If sharing my experience helps even one person spot the signs earlier, then I will feel I have done something meaningful.

💡 What is ILC?

ILC accounts for around 15% of breast cancer cases in the UK, but it does not usually form a lump. Instead, it spreads in thin lines, like a spider’s web. This makes it harder to detect—even with regular mammograms or self-checks.

🚩 What to Look Out For

Most awareness materials focus on lumps. But with ILC, you notice:

You dismiss it as:

But please—do not ignore it. ILC can be quiet, but it’s not harmless.

🧠 How It Progresses

ILC develops over 2–5 years before being noticed. Once invasive, it can progress to advanced stages within 1–2 years if untreated. That is how it spread to my bones.

🦴 Living with Stage 4 (Bone Metastases)

Bone metastases can cause:

But with the right treatment and support, many people continue to live full, meaningful lives.

💊 Treatment Focuses On:

Treatments include hormone therapy, bone-strengthening drugs, radiotherapy, targeted therapies, and palliative care.

💗 What Helps Most:

• Support networks (Macmillan, Breast Cancer Now)

• Complementary therapies (yoga, massage, mindfulness)

• Open conversations with your GP

Metastatic disease does not mean giving up—it means adapting. Please share this with someone who needs it.

Please also feel free to share your own journey. I am at the beginning of mine and want to share and connect with others going through the same. Together, we can support each other and raise awareness.

Hello, I’m Jayne and I’m so glad you’ve found your way here.

I’m an ordinary woman facing something extraordinary: Invasive Lobular Breast Cancer with Stage 4 bone metastases. My life changed in an instant, and like so many others, I’ve had to navigate fear, uncertainty, and the relentless pace of cancer treatment while still trying to be a mum, a partner, a colleague, and a human being.

This blog is where I share that journey, honestly, gently, and without perfection.

💗 Why I Started Writing

When I was diagnosed, I felt overwhelmed and strangely alone. Even surrounded by love, there were moments when I didn’t know who to talk to or how to explain what was happening.

For months, I hesitated to start this blog. I worried my site wouldn’t look right, or that my words wouldn’t be enough. But eventually, I realised something important:

Connection matters more than perfection.

So I decided to stop overthinking and start sharing not because I have all the answers, but because none of us should have to walk this road alone.

🌸 Where to Begin: My Story So Far

This blog is unfolding in real time. These early posts form the foundation of my journey, and they’re the best place to start if you’re new here.

1. Navigating Stage 4 Breast Cancer: My Journey

The moment everything changed, my diagnosis, the shock, the fear, and the decision to finally speak openly.

2. Should You Tell Your Family When You’re Sent for Cancer Tests?

A look back at the silence before diagnosis, the reasons behind it, and what I learned about support, timing, and honesty.

3. Understanding Invasive Lobular Breast Cancer: A Survivor’s Insight

An explanation of the type of cancer I have, why it’s often missed, and the signs I wish I’d known sooner.

These posts open the door but they’re only the beginning.

🧭 What You’ll Find Here (Now and As My Journey Continues)

This blog will grow as my life with metastatic breast cancer unfolds. Over time, you’ll find posts about:

• Treatment experiences — the physical and emotional impact
• Family and relationships — the hard conversations and the moments of grace
• Work and identity — navigating purpose, career, and change
• Mental health — fear, resilience, grief, hope
• Practical realities — scans, appointments, side effects, planning
• Awareness and education — especially around ILC and metastatic disease
• Moments of light — joy, humour, connection, and the unexpected good
• Community stories — shared experiences from others walking this path

This isn’t a one‑topic blog. It’s a living record of a life being lived through cancer honestly, imperfectly, and with as much courage as I can muster.

🤝 You’re Welcome Here

Whether you’re newly diagnosed, supporting someone you love, or simply trying to understand this disease better, I hope you’ll find comfort, clarity, and connection here.

Your kindness, your presence, and your willingness to read my words mean more than you know. If you ever want to share your own story or simply say hello, my inbox is open.

Together, we can turn fear into solidarity, uncertainty into understanding, and isolation into community.

💬 Where to Go Next

Reach out if you need someone who understandsIf you are reading this, please know that kindness and understanding mean everything. I hope that you will join me, share your own stories and advice, and together we can navigate this relentless journey – transforming fear and uncertainty into solidarity and support

Explore my latest posts

Read my diagnosis story

Learn about ILC and metastatic breast cancer

Connect with me on social media