Navigating Work and Life While Wearing Optune!

15 mai, 2024
par Johnathan Masterson
0 commentaires

Navigating Work and Life While Wearing Optune!

My perspective on working while wearing Optune: For those unfamiliar with it, Optune is a wearable, FDA-approved device that gives continuous therapy to the area of your brain affected by a GBM tumor (Brain Tumor/Brain Cancer). It works through four adhesive patches called transducer arrays that send low-intensity, alternating electric fields to disrupt cancer cell division. It is science, therapy, and hope wrapped into one daily challenge.

Dealing with a diagnosis like brain cancer is really tough, especially with all the treatments and physical changes like shaving your head. Getting used to wearing Optune for eighteen hours a day, seven days a week, for eighteen months can be pretty overwhelming. At first, I did not want to do it and felt self-conscious and vulnerable. I did not even want to go to work, scared that people would point and stare. Being in a management position, showing any sign of weakness was especially hard.

Over time, I learned to adapt to this new reality. I found ways to incorporate Optune into my life, enabling me to work without obstacles. While my approach may not work for everyone, I found comfort in treating Optune as an accessory rather than a burden. I even found a nice Coach Bag that fits when I feel fancy; the more you treat it like an accessory rather than a medical necessity, the easier it gets.

5 Game-Changing Tips for Wearing Optune at Work

1. Find a Suitable Purse/Bag Hook

Keep Optune within reach at your desk with a reliable hook. This simple solution ensures accessibility while you work. A hook under your desk or attached to a sturdy filing cabinet can make all the difference in your comfort and mobility. [Insert Link Here]

2. Invest in Breathable Hats

Optune can produce warmth, particularly for men who tend to feel warmer. Choose breathable hats to reduce discomfort. Natural fabrics like bamboo, cotton, or performance mesh are best. A stylish hat also helps reduce self-consciousness. [Insert Link Here]

3. Utilize Tape Strategically

Secure Optune in place with breathable tape to prevent sweat buildup and ensure adhesion. This becomes especially important during the summer or during long workdays when movement or heat might loosen the patches. The last thing you want is your alarms going off mid-meeting. [Insert Link Here]

4. Keep Cool with Fans

Combat the heat with strategically placed fans. A small desktop fan or a quiet standing fan next to your bed can significantly improve comfort during long hours of wear. If you work from home, cooling pillows or cooling hats may help too. [Insert Link Here]

5. Remember: Others Care Less Than You Think

Feeling self-conscious is totally normal, but most people are not staring or judging. In fact, most are curious or inspired. Talking openly about your device can ease tension and build understanding. You might be surprised at the compassion and support around you.

Building a Routine Around Wearing Optune

Sticking to a routine helps more than you might realize. I wear my device through most of the workday, plug in during meetings, and time battery swaps during my breaks. It took trial and error to figure out how to balance my schedule, but once I did, it gave me back a sense of normalcy.

I set reminders on my phone to check the battery and reposition my arrays if needed. I keep extra tape, spare hats, and portable power handy. Having a backup plan calms my nerves and lets me focus on my day instead of my condition.

Staying Mentally and Emotionally Grounded

Wearing Optune can feel isolating. Not everyone understands what it does or why you wear it. That can lead to feelings of being "othered" or misunderstood. It is okay to grieve that. But it is also okay to lean on community and seek out others who are walking the same path.

Support groups, online forums, and blogs like this one exist for a reason. Sharing your experience—whether it is through journaling, talking, or even meme-sharing—can be therapeutic. You are not just surviving. You are learning, leading, and adapting in a way most people never will.

Let’s Talk Accessories

This might sound silly, but finding accessories that match your vibe really helps. I have a dressy bag for professional events, a casual canvas one for weekends, and even a fun patterned pouch I use at home. Why? Because it puts the power back in my hands. If I have to wear this every day, I might as well feel like myself doing it.

Little things like a good pair of noise-canceling headphones or a phone stand near your desk can turn an ordinary day into something manageable and even enjoyable. It is all about creating an environment that supports you.

Final Thoughts

Remember, you are not alone in this journey. Reach out, share your experiences, and find strength in the community. Sometimes, we do not give people the credit they deserve. But more often than not, they rise to the occasion. And you will too.

Whether you are navigating your first month or your fifteenth with Optune, just know that it is okay to struggle. It is okay to feel frustrated. And it is okay to celebrate small wins—like wearing your device through a full workday without complaint. Those wins matter.

You have got this. Keep going, keep adapting, and keep sharing. This story is still being written.