Cancer HorizonsAll NewsBlogsCaregivingDiet and ExerciseFinancialPsychosocialRecipesSexual HealthSide EffectSponsoredSurvivorship
All VideosCURE ConnectionsCURE Expert Connections®CURE Speaking OutCURE TVEducated Patient Sound BitesOn Demand: Webinars
Conference Coverage Conference Listing
CURE AdventuresCURE AwardsEducated Patient In Person EducationEducated Patient Virtual Education
Advocacy GroupsArt GalleryClinical Trial CornerHeal®PartnersPodcastsPublicationsShare Your Story
Subscribe
Blood CancersBlood CancersBlood CancersBlood Cancers
Brain Cancer
Breast CancerBreast Cancer
Childhood Cancers
Gastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal Cancers
Genitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary Cancers
Gynecologic CancerGynecologic CancerGynecologic CancerGynecologic CancerGynecologic Cancer
Head & Neck Cancer
Immunotherapy
LeukemiaLeukemiaLeukemia
Lung CancerLung Cancer
LymphomaLymphomaLymphomaLymphomaLymphoma
Myeloma
Rare CancersRare CancersRare CancersRare Cancers
Sarcoma
Skin CancerSkin Cancer
Thyroid Cancer
Spotlight -
  • Blogs
  • Breast Cancer Webinar Series
  • Cancer Horizons
  • Clinical Trial Corner
  • Heal®
  • Publications
  • Videos
Blood CancersBlood CancersBlood CancersBlood Cancers
Brain Cancer
Breast CancerBreast Cancer
Childhood Cancers
Gastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal Cancers
Genitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary Cancers
Gynecologic CancerGynecologic CancerGynecologic CancerGynecologic CancerGynecologic Cancer
Head & Neck Cancer
Immunotherapy
LeukemiaLeukemiaLeukemia
Lung CancerLung Cancer
LymphomaLymphomaLymphomaLymphomaLymphoma
Myeloma
Rare CancersRare CancersRare CancersRare Cancers
Sarcoma
Skin CancerSkin Cancer
Thyroid Cancer
    • Subscribe
Advertisement

Blog

Article

February 19, 2025

Navigating Time and Emotions After Testicular Cancer

Author(s):

Brian Sluga

Key Takeaways

  • Mood significantly influences personal well-being and behavior, especially during challenging times like a cancer diagnosis.
  • Embracing gratitude and life's small wonders can help maintain a positive outlook and foster personal growth.
  • Spring symbolizes hope and renewal, encouraging alignment of mood and actions with desired future outcomes.
  • Overcoming cancer's emotional and academic challenges requires self-reflection and not allowing negative emotions to dominate.
SHOW MORE

I often reflect on my emotional changes following a testicular cancer diagnosis and how I learned to manage them and grow.

Illustration of Brian Sluga.

Brian Sluga is now a testicular cancer survivor after receiving the diagnosis when he was 20 years old. Catch up on Brian's blogs here!

If you are anything like me, your heart from time to time has been a little unsteady. I find myself worrying, letting noise in and am sometimes not grounded. I have been trying to avoid these feeling, the bad vibes and the static, though. In order to do this, I carry a notebook with me to jot down real moments and small wonders. It helps to remember that there are a great number of things to be thankful for in my life.

The little things like a smile from a stranger remind me that there are big rewards if we just try to find them. We are all on this planet together. Our journey is different from others. Some are fighting cancer, leukemia, mental health issues or other health matters. Well, writing about cancer has been rewarding and hopefully helping a few people on their own journey. There is so much in the world that I appreciate right now. I am glad I am here, and you are here reading this. I am glad we get to share this space, even in this small way.

My moods changed daily, sometimes hourly, as I listened to the news in those early days and felt deep anguish about my cancer diagnosis. Why and how did this happen? One’s mood is very connected to their thoughts and actions. A depressing thought can trigger a bad mood.

My mood most days after my cancer discovery was very erratic and caused unrecognizable behavior at times. What I learned is that just because something bad happens does not mean I am bad or need to behave similarly. My cancer is a prime example of focusing on my future healthy self to keep me from being a total ogre to live with.

I have learned to examine my life by listening to my thoughts and then act in a way that drives me closer to the person I want to be. So, as we grow and approach springtime, think about how winter frost is thawing, and your senses awaken. All your emotions unfold in the new season. They paint a landscape with vibrant hues of spring.

With the arrival of spring brings feelings of hope. A renewal in a way that both challenges and exhilarates us. Your mood may mirror this new beginning. Will it be a mood of nerves, an anticipating mood, or a “wait for the blooms,” sort of mood? How will your mood dictate your behavior? Is that behavior cohesive with the future you want?

Consider the weather and how much it will affect your overall mood. Rainy, overcast days can evoke feelings of sadness and depression. Sunny spring days may bring neighbors outside. We will be able to see flowers bloom, trees budding and hear birds chirping, which launches us into a better mood.

It took me decades to overcome the effects of cancer on my scholastic and emotional development. Make the next few months about your own personal renewal. With each passing week, we can shed those dark moods and continue to grow as a person.

After my cancer, I had my mental limits. Often my mental limits were within my comfort zone. With my life now in a healthier state, I do not let fear rule my days. I lead, and my dreams follow. I have learned not to let my mood push me off course. A bad or sour mood can easily grow into your entire disposition and corrupt your life.

In every aspect of my life, mood plays a major role. When I start something new, my “go-to” mood is my energetic mood. Those are days when I just let my mind wander with delight. The great thing about life is that you can self-reflect on yourself.

Years after my cancer, I felt constant anguish of always being on and needing to perform. As ideas grew like weeds in my head, everything felt like I was drowning in quicksand.

My only regrets are the many late-night parties, hangovers and bad dating experiences. What cancer did take away from me was those early college years. Because of so many routine follow-up tests and doctors’ appointments, my mind was preoccupied and not ready to go back to school after the surgery.

It took me several years to get back and focus on studies and what was profoundly important. I regret not pushing forward more quickly. Changing my major five times was something I did. I am happy about that now. It opened my mind to what I really wanted to do as a young person with many interests and aspirations.

I decided to give in and take God’s hand for a moment. I did not know what to expect, but I desperately wanted to live. My mood was a persistent emotional state during those cancer years. It influenced my life as my story progressed. One must not let an erratic or bad mood in as it will change the atmosphere of your well-being.

Do not let bad emotional moods get in the way of your life. Just live in the moment. The challenges of both our personal and professional lives can be overwhelming, but you can invite peace into your life and positivity into your heart. God’s blessings for spring and healing in the new year await us all. Here is to a healthy and happy spring, 2025.

For more news on cancer updates, research and education, don’t forget to subscribe to CURE®’s newsletters here.

Newsletter

Stay up to date on cancer updates, research and education

Subscribe Now!
Related Videos
Image of man
Related Content
Advertisement
Karen Cohn is a retired middle school special education teacher who was diagnosed with follicular lymphoma in July 2020. Catch up on all of Karen's blogs here!
May 21st 2025

When Others say Your Own Thoughts About Cancer Aloud

Karen Cohn
I'm a follicular lymphoma survivor, and hearing others name the quiet, lasting changes of life after cancer made me feel seen and understood.
A Brain Tumor Survivor’s Diagnosis Dilemma
February 3rd 2021

A Brain Tumor Survivor’s Diagnosis Dilemma

Samira Rajabi
A major diagnosis often forces us to shift the way we approach our lives, even once we’ve survived. So, what does it look like to chart a future having suffered in the past? And, how might we look forward?
Georgia Hurst is a fierce patient advocate for those with Lynch syndrome. Catch up on all of Georgia's blogs here!
May 19th 2025

Reflecting on my Son's Graduation as a Previvor

Georgia Hurst
As a Lynch syndrome previvor, I feel deep gratitude to witness my son’s graduation — a milestone my brother never lived to see with his own child.
Site Logo
April 9th 2020

A Cancer Survivor's Love of Flying Propels a Passion for Volunteering

Ryan McDonald
In this episode of the “CURE Talks Cancer” podcast, we spoke with a testicular cancer survivor who is using his love of flying to give back to the community, including volunteering for Pilots N Paws, a nonprofit organization that assists in the transportation of rescue animals and animals in need of medical treatment.
Chester Freeman was diagnosed with bladder cancer and most recently with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Read more of Chester's blogs here!
May 15th 2025

Finding Comfort in Teddy Bears Throughout My Experience With CLL

Chester Freeman
As a patient with CLL, I’ve found comfort in teddy bears — first as a chaplain offering solace, now as a patient embracing their quiet presence myself.
Bonnie Annis is a breast cancer survivor, diagnosed in 2014 with stage 2b invasive ductal carcinoma with metastasis to the lymph nodes. Catch up on all of Bonnie's blogs here!
May 14th 2025

Survivors of Breast Cancer May Still Struggle with Fear of Recurrence

Bonnie Annis
Even after many cancer-free years, the fear of recurrence still lingers, and many long-term survivors struggle to keep those thoughts at bay.
Related Content
Advertisement
Karen Cohn is a retired middle school special education teacher who was diagnosed with follicular lymphoma in July 2020. Catch up on all of Karen's blogs here!
May 21st 2025

When Others say Your Own Thoughts About Cancer Aloud

Karen Cohn
I'm a follicular lymphoma survivor, and hearing others name the quiet, lasting changes of life after cancer made me feel seen and understood.
A Brain Tumor Survivor’s Diagnosis Dilemma
February 3rd 2021

A Brain Tumor Survivor’s Diagnosis Dilemma

Samira Rajabi
A major diagnosis often forces us to shift the way we approach our lives, even once we’ve survived. So, what does it look like to chart a future having suffered in the past? And, how might we look forward?
Georgia Hurst is a fierce patient advocate for those with Lynch syndrome. Catch up on all of Georgia's blogs here!
May 19th 2025

Reflecting on my Son's Graduation as a Previvor

Georgia Hurst
As a Lynch syndrome previvor, I feel deep gratitude to witness my son’s graduation — a milestone my brother never lived to see with his own child.
Site Logo
April 9th 2020

A Cancer Survivor's Love of Flying Propels a Passion for Volunteering

Ryan McDonald
In this episode of the “CURE Talks Cancer” podcast, we spoke with a testicular cancer survivor who is using his love of flying to give back to the community, including volunteering for Pilots N Paws, a nonprofit organization that assists in the transportation of rescue animals and animals in need of medical treatment.
Chester Freeman was diagnosed with bladder cancer and most recently with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Read more of Chester's blogs here!
May 15th 2025

Finding Comfort in Teddy Bears Throughout My Experience With CLL

Chester Freeman
As a patient with CLL, I’ve found comfort in teddy bears — first as a chaplain offering solace, now as a patient embracing their quiet presence myself.
Bonnie Annis is a breast cancer survivor, diagnosed in 2014 with stage 2b invasive ductal carcinoma with metastasis to the lymph nodes. Catch up on all of Bonnie's blogs here!
May 14th 2025

Survivors of Breast Cancer May Still Struggle with Fear of Recurrence

Bonnie Annis
Even after many cancer-free years, the fear of recurrence still lingers, and many long-term survivors struggle to keep those thoughts at bay.
About Us
Advertise / Support
Editorial Board
Contact Us
CancerNetwork.com
TargetedOnc.com
OncLive.com
OncNursingNews.com
Terms & Conditions
Privacy
Do Not Sell My Information
Contact Info

2 Commerce Drive
Cranbury, NJ 08512

609-716-7777

© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.