"The Obvious Changes": Spokesperson Re'ut Sokolovsky Diagnosed with Cancer Inspires Online

About a month ago, Re'ut Sokolovsky, spokesperson for Knesset Member Orly Levy-Abekasis, stirred great emotion online after announcing in a post that she was diagnosed with cancer.

She will never forget the moment she received the diagnosis from her doctor ("My heart was torn, broken, and shattered into pieces"). "You weren't ready for this post - but honestly, neither was I," she writes on her Facebook page. "I'll start from the end - I have cancer. Three weeks ago, I was sitting in a room opposite the doctor who, in just a moment, turned my world upside down. Three weeks later, I don't remember much of what was said in that conversation, but I will never forget the feeling - that my heart was torn, broken, and shattered into pieces."

It was an ostensibly regular morning. "I woke up healthy for work," she recalls. "But I ended the day with every moment bringing a call updating me on another appointment - while my mind still refuses to process."

Everyone around her was in a rush, "but I realized that before I join everyone's 'rush', I need to break the hearts of my parents and those closest to me. I understand that not only is my reality turned upside down, but it also affects them all."

"I need to start preparing for this chapter of my life - which I never asked to be part of"

Then begins the real marathon - with no name and no face, yet emotions like shock, anger, tears, and confusion are familiar to those living it. "Alongside sleepless nights, the race begins. Tests, meetings, many needles, doctors, and medications. There's no time to process, no time to take a breath, complete loss of control with my body at the center, and me operating on autopilot doing what needs to be done."

Externally, Sokolovsky tried to continue her daily routine, but inside, her world was crumbling and the future "that was planned just a moment ago took a new turn. Yes, I asked endlessly why me and why now. And after not getting answers, I realized I had no time, and I need to collect myself and begin preparing for this chapter of my life - which I never asked to be part of. And as always, in a whirlwind, I moved to the planning stage, assessing the situation, and gathering strength for the task."

Her first thought was how to hide this fact and disappear for a while so that no one would notice or, God forbid, make her the subject of stares or awkward questions. "I admit, I don't know what's scarier, facing the illness or society. I started talking to other patients who slowly began collecting my shattered pieces, and despite the brief acquaintance, they read every thought of mine and understood every emotion that passed through me."

"My boss, also my mentor, teaches me to face challenges with faith"

A great sadness seized her upon discovering how widespread the social discourse on this illness is and the shame surrounding it. "But the saddest part was realizing I invested great efforts in thoughts about what others would say and how they would look at me, wasting energy I don't have, instead of focusing on what truly matters," she writes.

Realizing this, she decided there's no point in hiding the illness anymore, that the pressing reality must be faced no matter what. "So yes, until today, living was obvious to me. You get up in the morning and simply live. Now, the obvious changes, and you must choose to live and fight, endure difficult days and be strong. And remind yourself that the road is long - but giving up is not an option."

Why? Because even within all this, she feels, according to her, fortunate for all the support from those around her. "My boss, who is also my mentor Orly Levy-Abekasis, backs me, doesn't give up on me even when it's harder now, and mainly strengthens and teaches me about optimism and faith.

"Although the illness is mine, I'm certainly not entering this fight alone. And if we're to fight, then indeed, I'm fortunate to do so alongside the most elite and strong warriors I could choose. This is the new path, the route. I didn't choose it, but I have no choice but to walk it. Much will change, but the main thing is to remain optimistic and strong," she concludes.