Writing, Writing, Writing to Give Back to Testicular Cancer

Brian Sluga started running in sixth grade. His college track team didn't qualify for the national finals, so he went home, took a long shower, and discovered a lump on his testicle. He told his dad, who stopped mowing the yard and took Brian to their family doctor near Peoria, Illinois. 

After examining him, this doctor sent him to a urologist down the hall, who diagnosed testicular cancer. Sixteen hours later, Brian's surgeon removed the testicle. Because the cancer spread to his lymph nodes, Brian also had the RPLND surgery followed by regular blood tests and scans to monitor a possible recurrence, which did not happen.

Fast forward some 40 years to 2026. Brian's new book, "The Shriek I Do Remember," will be released on February 8. It's about his testicular cancer journey and other stories about his life. 

From Brian Sluga's website, here is a look at the new book. "The Shriek I Do Remember is a story of hope. It'sthe story of a survivor, as Brian Sluga shares how, as a young college athlete, he found a lump. He had no idea what it was or how it would change his life."  Look for it on February 8.

Enjoy this episode of Don't Give Up on Testicular Cancer to learn more about Brian Sluga, his testicular cancer story, and his writing. It comes to you from the Max Mallory Foundation.

Transcript

Writing, Writing, Writing to Give Back to Testicular Cancer

[00:00:00]
Introduction: Welcome to Don't Give Up On Testicular Cancer, a podcast where testicular cancer survivors, caregivers, and others who have navigated the cancer journey share their stories. The podcast comes to you from the Max Mallory Foundation, a nonprofit family foundation focused on educating about testicular cancer in honor and in memory of Max Mallory. In 2016, at age 22, Max died from testicular cancer. Had he survived, Max wanted to help young adults with cancer. This podcast helps meet that goal. Here now is your host, Joyce Lofstrom, Max's mom, and a young adult cancer survivor.

Joyce Lofstrom: Hi, this is [00:01:00] Joyce. With me today is Brian Sluga, who was 20 years old when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. His diagnosis happened after his college track team failed to qualify for a national meet. Fast-forward some 40 years to Brian's life today as a husband and award-winning writer, blogger, cancer survivor, and customer experience consultant. He'll tell us more about these accomplishments in just a few minutes. Brian, thank you so much for joining me today.

Brian Sluga: I'm very honored to be on your podcast. Thank you.

Joyce Lofstrom: I wanted to start with a quote from one of your articles. I know you've shared your story with many people over the years to help others through their own cancer journeys. This quote is from your August 2025 article in Cure magazine. [00:02:00] It says: "Your decisions, good or bad, make you what you are. Your story is filled with moments only you have. Remember to take the chance to open up and allow ideas to flow." Can you comment on that?

Brian Sluga: Writing my book took nearly four years because I wanted to go back to the very beginning when I first discovered the lump. For probably 15 years after my diagnosis, I was trying to find my way. My friends were getting married and having children, their lives were moving on, but I felt like I was standing still.

[00:03:00] I was floundering, trying to figure out college and whether I wanted to keep running competitively. But those years brought me to where I am today. I guess they weren't "lost years"—they were the years that helped me discover who I am.

Joyce Lofstrom: I understand that. I think a lot of young people today face that same challenge. Let's go back to your testicular cancer story. Tell us what happened during your treatment.

Brian Sluga: I had several offers for college scholarships for track and cross country. However, those offers were contingent on scoring a certain number of points. I decided to stay closer to home and joined the cross-country team at Illinois Central College in East Peoria. [00:04:00] We were doing really well, but at a major regional meet, our number three runner missed the bus. We lost out on those points and didn't qualify for nationals. I went home to my parents' house feeling depressed. I took a long, hot shower, and that's when I felt something that wasn't normal.

I was 20 years old and very active. [00:05:00] I jumped out of the shower and saw my dad mowing the lawn. It was September 13. I motioned him over and said, "Hey dad, I think there's something here." He told me to get in the car. We went to our family doctor, who checked me and said I needed to see a urologist immediately. He got me an appointment within 45 minutes.

[00:06:00] I saw the urologist, and within 16 hours, I was on the operating table. The doctor said he thought it was a tumor and that it was likely contained, but they couldn't guarantee they wouldn't have to remove the testicle. At the time, it didn't really register. I woke up from anesthesia on a gurney in the hallway, and a nurse told me I was a "very lucky young man."

I reached down to my groin area and felt all this gauze. [00:07:00] I wondered why there was so much gauze if everything was okay. Then the doctor arrived with "good news and bad news." The good news was that they removed the cancer, and I was going to live; the bad news was that he couldn't save the testicle. That's when it finally hit me. I let out a shriek. In my book, I talk about how water saved my life—starting with that shower. 

[00:08:00] Joyce Lofstrom: Wow. So, was surgery the only treatment you required?

Brian Sluga: Not quite. Because cancer cells often spread to the lymph nodes, I had to have my lymph nodes removed. In the 1980s, the technology wasn't what it is today, so they didn't use laparoscopy. They basically sliced me open, and I have a 13-inch scar to show for it. [00:09:00] After that, I had kidney scans, CT scans, MRIs, and chest X-rays. I was poked and prodded for 15 months, never knowing if it was going to come back. That is why it's so important for people to hear my story. 

[00:10:00] If I hadn't told my father or if I had waited six months, we probably wouldn't be having this conversation today.

Joyce Lofstrom: I agree. I've talked to many men who waited, and while they survived, they faced a much longer, harder road of treatment. Your dad did a great thing by taking you right away. Who was your support group at the time?

Brian Sluga: Back then, there weren't support groups like there are now.

[00:11:00] My parents were always there for every doctor visit and scan, and I had a few close friends who helped me get through it.

Joyce Lofstrom: I'm a young adult cancer survivor as well, and there were no groups for me either. This show is intended to be a support group for others.

Brian Sluga: It really is.

Joyce Lofstrom: You mentioned your book earlier. You graduated from Bradley University with a communications degree and earned your MFA from Lindenwood University in St. Charles. [00:12:00] Tell us about the book and your writing process.

Brian Sluga: The book started when my wife and I moved to Houston right as the pandemic lockdowns began. I didn't want to sit around, so I looked into a Master of Creative Writing program at Lindenwood University. In one of my classes, the assignment was to write a story about something that changed your life.

[00:13:00] I wrote a 1,500-word piece about my cancer. My professor, Dr. Hague, told me it was unbelievable and asked if I had more stories. I had 40 or 50 stories in my head, and she encouraged me to take my time and write a book. It took four years to get the manuscript together. 

Eventually, I met an editor in Fort Myers named Claudia who works for Two Penny Publishing. [00:14:00] She loved the manuscript, and that's how I found my publisher. 

[00:15:00] My first two books were self-published poetry, but this was a different animal.

[00:16:00] This past year, I also started blogging for CURE Today. I've heard from people across the country who have been affected by testicular cancer, and my words help them. The book will be available on February 8 through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, and Walmart. I don't "dance around" the subject—I put everything on the page.

[00:17:00] I hope it inspires people to get checkups.

[00:18:00] Joyce Lofstrom: Your openness is what makes your story so powerful. I've read your blogs, and they are very helpful. You once wrote about the routine you follow to stay motivated. Can you share that?

Brian Sluga: We live in Naples, Florida, which is paradise. [00:19:00] We set the alarm for 6:15 a.m., walk down to the beach to see the dolphins, and then have coffee. I spend about two to four hours in my office writing. Some days I only write 100 words, but I make it a point to write every day. I also try to read a lot to see what others are saying about life.

[00:20:00] Sometimes I'll get on my bike and just let my mind go. That's what helps me with my blog each month. I want to tell people that your story isn't "minimal" just because you aren't famous.

[00:21:00] If I didn't write and let my mind wander, I'd just keep everything inside. Writing is my own therapy. 

[00:22:00]
Joyce Lofstrom: Do you have a favorite type of writing?

Brian Sluga: I still enter short story and prose contests—about 225 a year. You don't win much money, but the thrill is in being chosen to read your work. [00:23:00] But right now, my focus is the CURE Today blog. I want to make a difference. Hearing these stories helps people with the mental anguish of overcoming a challenge.

[00:24:00] Joyce Lofstrom: What advice would you give to listeners who want to give back or get involved?

Brian Sluga: First and foremost, if you feel something—a lump or a bump—see someone. [00:25:00] Then, get involved in your own small way. I sent my first article to CURE just to see if they'd publish it, and they eventually asked me to be a paid blogger. As long as you follow the guidelines and stay away from political or confrontational topics, you can find a platform.

[00:26:00] Joyce Lofstrom: Remind us of the name of the book and the release date.

Brian Sluga: It is called The Shriek I Do Remember —named after the shriek I let out in the doctor's office. It should be available on Amazon around February 8.

[00:27:00] Joyce Lofstrom: What's next for you?

Brian Sluga: I'll have a couple of book signings in my hometown in Illinois. I've thought about a sequel. I have to keep the juices flowing because I don't want to miss that one person who might decide to get a checkup after reading my blog. 

[00:28:00]
Joyce Lofstrom: My last question: what song do you always have to sing along to?

Brian Sluga: "My Way" by Frank Sinatra. [00:30:00] I don't care if I'm with strangers in an elevator; if I hear that song, I start singing. It resonates with me because he stuck with what he knew, even through the hard times.

Joyce Lofstrom: That's a great choice. Brian, thank you for your time. I'd love to have you back when the next book comes out! [00:31:00]

Brian Sluga: Thank you.

Closing: Thank you for watching this episode of Don't Give Up on Testicular Cancer. 

If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe on your favorite podcast directory. You can also visit the Max Mallory Foundation at www.maxmalloryfoundation.com/podcast to listen to previous episodes or donate to the foundation. Join us again next time.