How do I brush my hair?

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emtlady
emtlady Member Posts: 6
edited June 2014 in Life After Breast Cancer
Sounds superficial even as I type it, but BM due to IDC is in three weeks and I am wondering, how do I brush my hair or teeth?  I am alone alot, but the first week will have a friend here and don't want to walk out looking like Frankenstein's bride - any suggestions appreciated.  I even thought of lowering my head and brushing that way or attaching my brush to a long stick!!  Undecided
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  • Cyn0619
    Cyn0619 Member Posts: 63
    edited June 2012

    Hi emtlady



    I had no problem brushing my teeth or hair after surgery. The only problem with my arms was reaching high into a cabinet. I had pretty good range of motion. I anticipated the whole surgery to be much worse than it was. Wishing u a speedy recovery after surgery!

    Cindy

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2012
    emtlady- No superficial at all!  I was stressing about the same thing.  My hair needs to be styled with a blow dryer/flat iron to look even somewhat presentable.  Without I am very much a Bride of Frankenstein!  Laughing  I was wondering if I should give my DH styling lessons but, as it turns out, it wasn't a big deal.  I had no problems with it at all but I did time my pain meds for optimal effect before showering/styling.  Just be careful to not stretch too high above your head as you're healing.  The biggest issue afterwards is to not lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk so move anything heavy you'll need down to counter height.  Good luck with your surgery.  
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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited June 2012

    A brush was no problem but for a couple days I had to kneel on the floor in the bathroom and prop my arm on the vanity to hold the blow dryer. 

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  • Blessings2011
    Blessings2011 Member Posts: 4,276
    edited June 2012

    I had my hair cut really short, and because it's naturally curly, didn't have to worry about my usual blow-dry/flat-iron routine.

    I did buy one of those hair-dryer stands that goes on your bathroom counter, but I never even took it out of the box.

    Besides, after surgery, a great looking hairstyle was pretty low on my list of priorities.

    Got my teeth brushed just fine (put the brush in my mouth and moved my head) - or - you could get an electric toothbrush.

    It was the getting caps off of things like pill bottles that was challenging.

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  • Outfield
    Outfield Member Posts: 1,109
    edited June 2012

    I was told not to lift my arms more than 90 degrees out from my shoulder, but the elbow is fine to move and that really gave me enough range to brush my teeth and my hair.  I think my arms would have gotten tired if I required much styling, but I didn't.   

    Not to be scary, but the recommendation not to lift your arms more than 90 degrees up is to allow the lymphatics time to heal.  They're very delicate and there is a thought that going to full range of motion too early increases the risk of lymphedema by pulling apart severed lymphatics that are trying to heal together again.  Hopefully you won't need an ALND and the risk will be less, but even so I think it makes sense to do what you can to keep it minimal.

    Edited to add:  can't believe I forgot this part - I got a haircut right before surgery so that I needed less styling! 

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  • coraleliz
    coraleliz Member Posts: 1,523
    edited June 2012

    I was able to brush my hair & teeth without a problem following my BMX. I kept my long hair braided off to the side & re-did the braid each day(minimal tangles). I managed to wash my own hair in the kitchen sink. I leaned over & let my elbows rest in the bottom of the sink. I was told I couldn't drive for 1 week. That was more of a problem. Off work & lots of places I want to go & things to do but I couldn't. I took a lot of walks, mostly by myself.

    I had a stack of paper plates on the counter because I couldn't get my arms up high enough to retrieve dishes from the cabinet.

    Sending you well wishes & hoping your surgery goes as well as possible.

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  • emtlady
    emtlady Member Posts: 6
    edited June 2012

    You all are wonderful.  Thank you for the replies so much.  I know there are so many bigger issues to worry about and I am trying to take my mind off of those and focus on things that I can change and have control over since you kinda feel powerless over this cancer. 

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  • Stormynyte
    Stormynyte Member Posts: 650
    edited June 2012

    I only had a MX on the right side, but using that arm to brush my hair wasn't bad. The only thing I really couldn't do was get something that I would have had to straighten my arm and reach up to get.  Most normal everyday stuff wasn't a problem.

    My arm did get tired fast tho. I could do all my usual things, but not for long before it started to feel like I was lifting weights instead of a hairbrush. 

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  • jancie
    jancie Member Posts: 2,631
    edited June 2012

    I used the hand towel ring to hold my hair dryer as I used my other arm to brush my hair as I dried it.  It was hard to keep the dryer in it at an angle that would work but I was pretty persistent.

    Ok, I didn't have this issue due to BC but broke my arm in three places so I couldn't lift my arm at all which is how I came up with this solution. 

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited June 2012

    For post-surgery exercises, check this out:

     http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/BreastCancer/MoreInformation/exercises-after-breast-surgery

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