OK, as you all know, clutz here broke her ankle.    So I am finally dealing with the reality I WILL be on crutches a long time.  I thought I'd put my trials and tribulations on caring for my hair during this time in a separate post.  Who knows, someone else might benefit someday.  Or, maybe I'll get lucky and someone will suggest something to make my life easier!

1.  Classic length hair left loose when trying to get around on crutches is a bad idea.  The hair gets caught under your arms on the crutches and catches in the wing nuts holding the handles in place. 

2.  You cannot carry your comb, brush or hairsticks in your hands when walking with crutches.  I usually carry a small purse - I can carry these essentials in this little bag if I wear it across my chest. 

3.  Trying to stand and balance on one leg (with a bad hip and bad back) is tiring.  Trying to comb out your hair in this position is next to impossible.  I moved my comb/brush and a few hairsticks to the bedroom where I can sit on the end of the bed and look into a mirror.  Less chance of falling.

4.  Washing - oh what fun!!  I was lucky enough that a co-worker had a shower chair she could lend me.  Our basement shower is a walk-in shower, so the chair works well in that one.  (Climbing in and out of the bathtub is not an option - I can't do it with two "good" feet).  However, the shower head is so high, it becomes useless.  Handy hubby to the rescue!  I now have the handheld shower I've always wanted but couldn't justify! I know I'm gonna love using this even after I'm off the crutches!

5.  Once the hair is washed, I found, again, I could not leave it loose or it got tangled in everything.  So I wrapped it up in my microfiber towel until I was settled in my "nest" where I could let it air dry.  (My "nest" is my spot on the recliner where we have all my basic needs - the computer, a drink, my knitting, the phone, TV remote, and my blankey).

6.  Just combing out my hair is a new challenge.  I usually do it standing since my hair is longer than my torso.  I'm having to adjust my combing technique for the sitting position.  I had never realized I had made this change due to the length!

Things to try - will I be able to wear a single braid?  Twin braids are out unless I wrap them around my head.

Anyone else have suggestions or comments?

Hubby had agreed to learn to braid my hair at one time, but he has always shyed away from it when I have asked.  He has helped me with tangles, but he is always afraid of "hurting" me.

It is strange that he "fears" my hair.  He has helped me with sooooo many other things that I know other husbands would cringe at.  He thinks nothing of assisting me in putting on shoes and socks, and regularly ties my shoes for me.  He has had to dress and bathe me when my back problems were at their worst.  When I showered last night, he was there to make sure I did not fall or need help.  He is such a sweetie! 

Sounds like you've got most of the problems solved already, BB.  wishing4longhair might have a good idea for combing your classic length.  Even a bar stool might work well, and it's easier to get on and off a higher seat. 
I had a handheld shower for dog washing, and sure did love it for me too!  Sadly both the shower head and the dog are now gone.

Sakina; thanks for the reminder about bending the knee - I have a tendancy to lock the leg and you are right, it makes for more pain in the hip and back.  Especially when I am hopping on the one leg!

Yesterday was a bad day.  Changing the position of my foot from the splint to the boot resulted in lots of pain and more swelling.  I spent most of the day just sitting the in the recliner with it propped up.  As a result I never did comb out my hair.    I left if in the rolled up braid all day and thru the night again.

This morning I unrolled and unbraided my hair.  Lovely curls!  Too bad I have no one to share them with!  Hubby did comment on them ("cool curls!") as he was heading out to run errands.  It will take me about 30 minutes to get my hair combed out completely, then I will braid and roll it back up again.  This is the best way for me to protect it when I am sitting in the recliner a lot.

I'm getting around better today - but probably still won't leave the house.  I'll just do laundry - that will be enough of an ordeal - up and down a flight of stairs a couple of times will certainly wear me out!

I roll my braid like a sock curl many times.  I also have these foam snap rollers.  They are a quick way to roll up a braid (assuming I haven't misplaced the silly thing or it hasn't fallen under the dresser!)

Today has been a better day.  Pain is minimal, I'm getting around on the crutches fairly well.  I'm keeping my hair in a bun to keep it out of the way.

I'm trying to decide what to do with my hair for the surgery.  One braid, a banded tail, or two braids?

What's a banded tail?
Meg

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Thank goodness I will not be in labor!   

I know recovery will not be quick <sigh>, but I'm hoping for the best.

Meg; A banded tail, some people here call it a bubba tail, but I was wearing it long before PurpleBubba described it at LHC.  Basically is a a ponytail with hairties put around the tail about every 3 or 4 inches.  It is a great way to leave the long tail, but not suffer all the damage of it being completely loose.

I think I will go with a single braid - french braid.  I had considered washing it the night before, but now I think I will leave it to wash on my usual wash day of Sunday.  My hair stays in a braid better when it has more natural oil on it.

Had my pre-op physical today.  I am healthy enough for the surgery!  (I hadn't expected any other result, but you have follow their rules).  You have to wonder about the medical profession sometimes.  When I go in for the physical, they take me to the farthest exam room in the building - equal to about a city block.  Keep in mind, I am over fifty and manuvering on crutches is an aerobic activity for me.  I get into the room and immediately the nurse takes my pulse and blood pressure!!  golly gee - they are elevated!!  I wonder why??  How stupid can you be?  I was impressed that my blood pressure and pulse weren't any higher!  The doctor commented on them when he came in and I explained when the nurse had taken them and that I knew they would be high.  He laughed, retook them and they were back in the normal ranges (actually my blood pressure was a bid low).

Washed my hair for the second time since the break.  It is still hard to detangle when damp, but I working out the routine for sitting on the edge of a chair to work out the tangles. 

I'm tossing and turning a lot more at night, which is taking a toll on my fragile hair.  I have it braided or roped and rolled, but the hair at the nape of my neck is showing significant damage.    Short of a sleep cap, I'm not sure what to do to prevent more damage.  (Note:  I can only sleep on my back and right side due to issues with my back as well as sleeping with the "cast" on my foot.)

Surgery is Friday - still don't know what type of anethesia will be used - a spinal block (I'd be awake with no feelings from the waist down) or general (completely out).  With the spinal fusion I have the doctor was not sure they could do the block - I'll have to wait until the surgery to find out.  I'm really hoping they can do the block - I hate the nausea I get with the general.