Anyone dealing with brain cancer

I agree that some people don’t want to face their own mortality and also don’t know what to say. Interestingly though, one of the people who ghosted me and who I really was wanting to have his support was a Baptist minster for 20 years. That is what truly shocked me. I didn’t see that coming.

Hello dconway and @adrian092 ,
I completed my 6 months of 5 days per month of TMZ in July 2024. The oncologist that I was seeing at the time said that I too would have to wear the device on my head daily for extended hours per day. I asked why and he did not have an answer. I refused that treatment of course and found a 2nd opinion. To this day, I never worn that device and never will.
I did have some growth earlier this year, which I was aware that it could happen. It appeared on 2 MRIs I had. However, my last appointment/MRI in the 3rd week of May, showed that the growth shrunk without any additional treatment as my current oncologist had a wait and see attitude. I was told that it was not uncommon for that to happen. It made me and my oncologist very happy.
I do wish you the best moving forward. Remember, the final decision is yours in anything you do for treatment. Take care!

Hello sjt10323,
Thank you for the message. I'll complete the 6 months of 5 days per month this July 2025 so I'm exactly a year behind you. Hopefully we'll be exchanging comments next July 2026.

My husband adapted quickly to the Optune device. The worst part about it was having to shave the rest of his head!
He doesn't "feel" the array's impact. He feels the cords dangling, and when he gets up from his chair and forgets he is plugged into the wall, he is quickly reminded because the cord only goes so far, lol. But there is really no sensation.

When you shower, or swim in your case, you unplug from the device and put the array cords wadded up in a shower cap. It's cumbersome, but doable for sure.

It takes about 20 minutes to apply the arrays when we change them. We change them whenever they stop sticking, which varies with his activity. They recommend every 2-3 days, but we've changed them sometimes twice a day when he mows the grass and sweats profusely.

We ordered a backpack, which came right away, and recommend that instead of the "pouch" you carry or hook to a strap. All supplies come quickly, and customer service is amazing.

Our oncologist told us of patients who have seen great success, which he attributes to the Optune device. We can only hope it is successful for us.

I'm including some pictures so you get a better idea of what to expect. Note: The brochures say it is easier to wear button-up shirts. He likes his t-shirts, so we just thread the cords in their sleeve through the neck hole, easy peasy.

What a wealth of information you are. Thank you so much for including the photos, they really give an idea what to expect.

Tonight was the last low dose chemo and he has 2 more radiation treatments. Then 4 weeks off and we will see. He has lost some of his appetite, and is definitely more tired. Hopeful the 4 week break will help.

Good luck and continued good thoughts and prayers to you and your husband.

Thank you again,