A Cocktail and the Freedom I Never Expected With Cancer

Linda Cohen is a survivor of small lymphocytic lymphoma and was diagnosed in 2009. Catch up on all of Linda's blogs here!

At a recent dinner honoring a new president of an organization, I was handed a cocktail in a beautiful martini glass — a grapefruit vodka punch. Instinctively, I thought, “I can’t have this.” It had only been a week since I had stopped my cancer medication that I took twice a day. For years, grapefruit was completely off-limits due to its interaction with this pill. But then, something clicked: “Wait… I’m off that medication now.”

It’s been almost three years since I tasted grapefruit, one of my favorite fruits. And there I was, holding a glass full of it, smiling from ear to ear. I couldn’t help but tell everyone around me why this cocktail was such a big deal. It may sound like a small thing to you, but to me, it was monumental.

When I told my husband later, he surprised me after his next grocery run with a fresh grapefruit. That simple gesture brought me so much joy. Because it wasn’t just about the fruit — it was about freedom. It symbolized the end of a long chapter of rigid medication schedules, the grapefruit restriction, and constant reminders of my illness. That’s what three years of taking cancer meds every twelve hours with exactly eight ounces of water will do to you.

Sixteen years ago, I was told I had an incurable cancer. And while it’s still technically incurable, today I stand in a place I never imagined possible. Thanks to emerging treatments and compassionate, innovative care, my future feels more open than ever. I’ve learned to reframe what it means to live with a chronic illness. Yes, it will eventually come back, but instead of focusing on that, I’m choosing to focus on the time I’ve already been given — and what still lies ahead.

When I started a newer biological medication, Calquence (acalabrutinib), a BTK inhibitor, a few years ago, I was told I may be taking these pills for the rest of my life. There was no long-term protocol because the meds were so new. Now, being off of them feels surreal and fills me with hope. No one knows when I’ll need to restart this medication or what new drugs will be available at that time. The doctor said it’s possible that I could be off of it for years.

Having cancer can, in its strange way, be a gift. It makes you more likely to live fully, to love deeply, and to count every moment that truly matters.

Through it all, my faith has been my anchor. That, along with the unwavering support of my family and the dedication of my doctor, has kept me going.

Now, I just want to be. I want to live life without cancer constantly shadowing my thoughts. It’s the closest feeling I’ve had or will ever have to being cured — and it’s a freedom I never thought would be part of my story.

We don’t know how much time we have. This is true for everyone, not just cancer survivors. What I do know is that I want to spend my time focusing on joy, meaning, and the things I love.

A Thank You to a Fellow Survivor

I recently read an article in CURE that reminded me why we share our stories. William Ramshaw’s piece, “Pancreatic Cancer Tried to Crash My Three Daughters’ Weddings,” caught my eye with its powerful title, but it stayed with me because of the hope he shared. His belief in miracles and the resilience in his journey reminded me that while our stories are different, our emotions are often the same.

Reading his story made me pause and reflect on how far I’ve come. It gave me strength and gratitude. Because no matter the diagnosis, when you’re the one going through it, the journey is never easy, but it’s always yours.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

1. Research and find the best doctor for you and your specific cancer.
2. Do everything you can to stay positive — it makes a difference.
3. And above all, have faith and be grateful for each and every day.

Having cancer can, in its strange way, be a gift. It makes you more likely to live fully, to love deeply, and to count every moment that truly matters. And sometimes, it makes a grapefruit cocktail feel like a triumph!

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