In this post, we share Nigel Optune story and the advice his family would give to others navigating life with glioblastoma.

Adapting to life with Optune has been a process, but with the right support and mindset, Nigel and his family have found ways to make it work.

When Nigel Sellar was diagnosed with a glioblastoma in June 2024 at the age of 66, it came as a shock. His journey began with episodes of visual disturbances, leading to surgery and the standard of care (SOC) treatment. In January 2025, after completing his first cycle of monthly temozolomide (TMZ), Nigel started using Optune – a decision made after researching alternative treatments and accessing it through private medical insurance.

Adapting to life with Optune has been a process, but with the right support and mindset, Nigel and his family have found ways to make it work. Here, Nigel and his wife, Jane, share their experiences, challenges and the practical solutions they’ve found during their Nigel Optune story.

Adjusting to Optune: Nigel’s perspective

“Initially, I was anxious and apprehensive about how restrictive Optune might be on my quality of life. It’s a huge adjustment, and at first, it felt overwhelming. But you quickly learn the best ways to manage it.”

One of the biggest changes was shaving his head. “Going from a full head of hair to fully shaved was daunting at first, but I quickly got used to the new look.”

Nigel follows a routine of keeping the arrays on for 2.5 days, then taking a few hours off before reapplying. “It’s nice to do something in that time off, enjoying the freedom of no backpack or wires.”

There have been some physical challenges, such as back and shoulder pain from carrying the device. “The weight of it does cause some musculoskeletal problems, but the benefits outweigh this.”

A key part of his journey has been the support he’s received. “Sue from Optune has been invaluable and I couldn’t do this without my wife, Jane. She does all the research, changes the arrays and helps me figure out the alarms.”

Supporting a loved one with Optune: Jane’s experience

As Nigel’s primary support person, Jane has taken on the role of managing his Optune care, from applying the arrays to troubleshooting alarms.

“At first, applying the arrays seemed quite complicated, but I’ve learned how to do it more quickly. I always cut around the edges to ensure a better fit and adjust them to avoid sore areas.”

She’s also found creative ways to keep Nigel comfortable. “I bought a variety of bandanas – bamboo material is soft and comfortable. I also found a couple of wide-brimmed hats that are water-resistant and provide shade. They’re easy to carry and helpful if the weather changes.”

One unexpected challenge has been managing the device’s alarms. “I’m always listening for the alarm, especially in crowded or noisy places. It’s much louder if it goes off during the night! The key is working together to figure out the cause, checking connections in a logical order.”

Despite the challenges, Jane finds reassurance in the device’s function. “I love seeing that blue light shining – it means we have a tumour treating field.”

Tips for Others Using Optune

These tips are based on lessons learned through Nigel Optune story, and may help others facing similar challenges. Through trial and error, Nigel and Jane have found several tips that might help others:

✅ Give yourself time to adjust. The first few weeks may feel overwhelming, but it becomes more manageable with time.

✅ Make use of your ‘off time.’ When taking a break from Optune, do something enjoyable to make the most of that freedom.

✅ Take care of your scalp. Finding the best ways to keep the scalp healthy is an ongoing process.

✅ Find comfortable headwear. Soft bandanas and wide-brimmed hats provide protection from the sun and rain while being easy to carry.

✅ Be prepared for alarms. They can sound louder than expected, especially at night. Learning to check connections in a logical order helps resolve them quickly.

✅ Lean on your support system. Having a partner, family member or friend who can help makes a big difference.

Final thoughts

Nigel’s Optune story highlights the strength, creativity and teamwork it takes to adapt to life with the device – and may offer reassurance to others in similar shoes. Nigel, Jane, and their daughter Caitlin hope their experiences can help others considering Optune. 

Would you like to share your experience with Optune? We’d love to hear from you. Get in touch to help others on a similar path.

Thank you to Nigel, Jane and Caitlin for sharing their story.

You can read more about the Optune Support UK support group here.

To learn more about the science behind Optune, visit Novocure’s website.