After a short talk with the Breast Care nurse I decided on a full mastectomy and immediate reconstruction. I have always thought that I would choose a full mastectomy in this scenario and also liked the sound of immediate reconstruction as it would be progress towards an end of sorts.

When I came round  and looked at the clock and it was 12.15 and I said "its all done" and the nice nurse said "yes dear its all done" and I felt so much happier.

Steve had rung so knew I was out early and it was lovely to see him as I wasn't expecting him until 5pm. He brought food too !!! I wanted to get up and the nurses said I could walk around the hospital with Steve.

One really nice thing was that while I was being operated on my room mates had changed. Now I had Eline and Vera. Neither liked tv or snored. They were real characters and Vera was quite ill but still managed to smile.

I spent the evening rearranging my flowers and changing into my night clothes out of my gown. Everything was such an effort but I didn't want to just lie down.

I did try to buy one myself but they come in the pack with the expander - I even tried ebay !!!

I told him today that I don't want the other ovary or my womb removed and made sure on my pre assessment form that it is only right ovary removal that I'm down for.

I went running on Bleaklow with the dogs, on my own, in the rain, wind and clag, to clear my mind; this is what life is all about I thought. I passed some "retired walkers" all grey and wrinkly and thought "I want to get old" The hills will still be here next month and next year and I want to be here to see them. I have to get over the short term impact on my life and look to the future.

Sunday - Steve (who has been wonderful) and I went and competed in the New Chew. It was brilliant to get out together and we just enjoyed the day and so were very pleased to do reasonably well.

I feel ok. Its hard telling people but I'm getting there and its no secret. The support I had from family and friends when I had breast cancer made all the difference and I hope it will do so this time. I recovered quickly last time and aim to do so again.

I have had a couple of good days; not got upset or cried once which is a plus. I am approaching the Op more like a challenge now. I've packed my hospital bag, made a list of "questions to ask doctors / nurses" and also "stuff to do when resting". I've set a few goals for the weeks following the Op too.

I have had my hair coloured and cut while chatting to Jo the hairdresser who is lovely. I have also had a couple of very encouraging emails and texts - thanks guys. And lots of huge hugs from Steve. Now going to the end of Winter Mondays and to bed early. This is all part of the "getting used to it" process. Now I want to focus and prepare as best as I can.

One thing I would ask is that people don't question my recovery plan. How come the advice of "you must rest" is as well known as "coffee is bad for you" or "bananas are good for you"? I didn't get to the standard I am today by resting and avoiding coffee while living on a diet of bananas. There has to be a balance and that balance is different for everyone.

Lecture over. Thanks for support. I'll keep updating my progress here and see you soon out on the hills.

PS Today we have been able to dispatch DimWit and Sparky out into the main shed (with their mothers) as both are doing well now.

I might be able to update Facebook when in hospital. But otherwise will be back here in a few days.

The operation went well. I was teary before but the nurses were very nice. The ward just seemed chaotic when I was admitted which hadn't helped. Friday night and Saturday morning I was hooked upto a morphine drip which I controlled but soon learnt that although it took the pain away it also made me dizzy and feel sick so I tried not to use it. Lying there on Sat morning I wondered about the sense of this as was in a lot of pain. I also wasn't allowed to eat until the doctor had authorised it. As they were busy I didn't see a doctor until 2pm and he said I could eat and come off the drip when I liked!! With visiting at 2.30pm I rang for help straight away as I was desperate to be off the drip and onto oral painkillers before visiting time. Steve, Charlie, Carol and Charlotte all came to visiting which was lovely. I was now able to get up a bit with only one appendage (the catheter) to haul about with me and so went for a little walk with Steve in the evening visit. I think all three other patients in my ward were in similar conditions as we all improved massively over the weekend. The catheter came out Sat night which was even better.

On Sunday the ward and hospital seemed lovely and quiet. It was all very leisurely and relaxing. I was told that if I wanted I could go home but everyone thought it better that I stayed which I did. Amanda and Andrew came to visit on Sunday evening and I could easily walk to the cafe by then. Sunday night I slept well and on Monday was discharged. It was good to get home and be in my own bed.

The scar is very good - I saw it yesterday when the nurse took the dressing off. I asked a lot about recovery and was generally told that "if you don't think you should be doing it you probably shouldn't". I'm happy that I am improving everyday and have to remember that when I get frustrated. Thanks for cards and messages of support on Facebook. It really helps.

During the day I don't feel tired or light headed and so am motivated to get some paperwork jobs done. And I'm enjoying my daily walks round the farm.

Its nice to get visitors, cards, flowers and telephone calls. I'm working my way happily through all the books I've been lent too.

I spent too long sitting at the computer which tugged at the scar ends on Friday and didn't sleep well. So I rested on Saturday and stayed off the computer.  We had cows calving as well which tied us to the farm all day. We got out for a little walk down Hoppits in the afternoon and then Simon Rippon and Jude visited which was very nice. I then had a very good nights sleep

Today has been a good day. Lovely weather so Steve and I walked up Blacks and found the aircraft wreck that I want to use as a CP in a Summer Series race. Afterwards we called in at the Huntsman for a pint and to see Andy Plummer.

I'm getting back to normal. I have been out and about round the farm and am back to doing little jobs like bedding up and even a bit of walling.I went for a massage on Thursday and he said the scar is healing well and I could start stretching. I also slept through on Thursday night till 4am (so I can now turn over without having to wake up) and felt very refreshed on Friday.

On Friday evening I dropped Steve at Langsett then drove to Strines and went to see the gamekeeper about my Monday night races. I then walked up to Back Tor to meet Steve. We then had a couple of pints of Cockerhoop in the Strines pub.

Last Sunday I took times at the finish of the Edale Skyline race. It was good to see everyone and I didn't even miss running as it looked far too hot and dusty for me. This week we have finished one half of the wall (pics on Facebook) and started to think about turning some cattle out although I have heard rumours of snow coming now. I have been for a couple of runs - going up easy, going down sometimes bumpy. I got the bike out and have been for a cycle round - that's all very agreeable.

Generally sleeping better now just taking Ibrofen at bedtime but still getting pain when turning over in bed.

On Sunday I went to the Dales with Steve and Andrew Heading. We had a good run / walk with a couple of lunch stops and covered about 20 miles.

Last Monday I did the Summer Monday race setting off early. It was good and I feel more confident running downhill now. On Wednesday we had a lot of snow and I slipped and jarred my stomach. It was painful and I couldn't sleep. I was worried I had damaged something but by Friday it was fine again. The healing process has moved to my scar area now. I'm not getting the shooting pains down my leg / groin anymore.

On Sunday I went to the Lakes to recce Leg 1 of the BG. I was careful on heathery descents but felt good all the way round.

He asked about the menopause and I said I was having hot flushes but that I had learnt to wear lots of layers and strip off quickly if I felt one coming on. They only last about 5 minutes and I think that's fine. He said I could go on HRT but no thankyou. He was happy and so were we so he discharged me.

Skipping off down the stairs I was telling Steve that I had steeled myself for more tests/ radiotherapy / chemo as I knew that if they had found one intzy wintzy tiny cancer cell that is what he would recommend.

I had entered Coledale Horseshoe back in Jan; a 9 mile race in the Lake District and now thought that I would run it as I felt ok and had been for a few runs. I knew the most important thing for me was not to fall or injure myself in any way that meant I would put my progress back. I ran as hard uphill as I could (my legs were very heavy) then on the downhills I ran cautiously and then as it didn't hurt tried to stretch out and relax.

Overall I was very pleased and there have been no after effects.

There has been a big improvement this week. I can now cough, sneeze and turn over in bed without any pulling or sharp pains. A couple of stitches poked out the scar and then disintegrated in my fingers after I had pulled them out. The scar is nearly white now with a few red spots where the stitches came out.

We did some fencing on Thursday which made my tummy sore but it only lasted a day. I ran a race on Saturday and my legs felt much better than last week. I was also more confident running downhill although still cautious in heather or climbing down rocks. I am a bit sore today (Sunday) but having a relaxing day as its my 45th birthday.

I had entered the Fellsman (a 60 mile hike across the Dales) back in January and this became my main goal post operation. I completed the race in very windy conditions and although I found it hard I was First woman in a time of 13hours and 35 minutes. My account is here -  Fellsman_2012