Hi JuliaFR,

Welcome to Cancer Chat. I hope you're getting on OK and recovering well.

I'm unable to fully advise on this, but there is some information on this here - although this is tailored slightly more to an American audience.

As it's been 12 weeks, and as the Couch to 5k involves a lot of walking at the outset, it sounds like it should be OK.

The best thing is to check with your doctor or specialist if you're able to do that. Alternatively you could give one of a nurses a call on 0808 800 4040 (Monday-Friday, 9-5) who may be better placed to advise.

Wishing you all the best,

Ben
Cancer Chat Moderator

That's great thank you. 

Do you mind me asking how you coped with the Diep surgery and are you pleased with the result?  I was meant to have this on 23rd March but ended up with just a mastectomy due to the corona virus situation. 
I hope you are well and keeping safe. 
Best wishes with your continuing recovery and running. 

Hi Sukie

Sorry to hear you didn’t get to have the DIEP if that was what you had planned and hope you are recovering well after your mastectomy. It’s such a hard time right now. I am happy with my DIEP but I have to say the physical recovery has been longer and harder than I had anticipated. But that could just be me! Is there anything in particular you wanted to know about? 

Best wishes and stay safe. 

Hi Julie

Thanks for your reply. I suppose I am concerned about how it will look and feel, which for me will be different now as I no longer have the skin to use so can't imagine it will look that great. - Also, you hear horror stories of people not being able to walk upright or feel like they have a permanent band around their middles. I just don't want to end up feeling more discomfort long term. I am 47 and quite small frame (but have been trying to 'grow' my stomach during lockdown ready for harvesting!). 
How is couch to 5k going?   I was doing it before all this but now I'm not sure how my sports bra will just control the one - unfortunately that's part of me that isn't small and my ageing parents don't know why they can't just make me another boob out of that one! they have a point and I said I would mention it to the surgeon just in case no one has thought of that yet!! 

Hi Sukie

I did find that I wasn't walking very straight for a while and I still do feel that I have a tight band around my stomach but it is getting better. I still have discomfort but of course everything stopped since the Corona virus so I've been doing my own exercises. I was fit before so I am finding it hard that I really have to take things slowly but it is definitely getting easier. It will be different for everyone of course but I wanted to have the reconstruction so I still had a breast but I'm not bothered about the scarring (which actually for me is from hip to hip although I'm sure it will improve). 
It was the right thing for me definitely but it does take a while to recover. The Couch to 5K is great - but harder than I thought. 
If it helps,  for reference I'm 54. 
Look after yourself and stay safe.