Efrot Weiss

“The Lucky One”

Writing Gold Award Winner

I am one of the lucky ones.

I had the most basic of breast cancers – hormonal – and it was slow-growing. I caught it early – finding a hard, pea-sized lump under my arm in the shower. I had the full battery of treatments – mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation – and they all worked. Each did what it was supposed to do. My treatments were supplemented by complementary therapies – a gentle massage following my surgery, reflexology during my chemotherapy, and Reiki after radiation.

I have friends who were equally lucky. Their cancer responded to the treatment. When it all works out, it is easy to attribute it to oneself – to feel proud justified, and smart. The power of cutting out meat, dairy, and caffeine. The benefits of incorporating meditation yoga and visualization into one’s life. Doing these kinds of things is crucial – for one’s mind and body. But the element that can neither be dismissed nor underestimated?? Luck.

A dear friend did not make it. Her cancer was diagnosed last summer in a routine exam, and like everyone who is told they have a malignant tumor, her summer plans were completely upended. She began the process of information gathering and immersing herself in the science. Conversations with doctors. Second opinions. Preparing mentally for the long road ahead. Before surgery was possible, she needed multiple rounds of chemotherapy to shrink her tumor.

Her cancer was very aggressive – triple negative - but after months of treatment, it seemed to be at bay. A six-week reprieve in late winter 2023 – no cancer, no pain. A strong belief in her future. Then - pain in her back. The cancer had returned. It had taken over her body. She was put on an experimental cocktail of drugs to kill the cancer. But the pain continued. Her liver was destroyed. Given strong pain medications, she drifted in and out of lucidity. After a few days in hospital in early May, she returned home, where she died peacefully, surrounded by her family.

I am still trying to make sense of it. “It’s not fair,” is my futile refrain. Her two daughters and husband are trying to come to terms with her loss. As are her mother, siblings, and many friends. No parent should ever have to bury their own child.

In the midst of my grief and sadness, I acknowledge my own luck. Cancer, like any challenge in life, has a lottery component. There are no guarantees. When given a chance to fight, whatever the odds, I would still give it all I’ve got. Traditional medicine and complementary/alternative therapies. Physical remedies and spiritual practice. I would exert maximum effort, and then hope the angels are on my side.

And there is something else. I am doubling down on living my own life to the fullest. As Bruce Springsteen recently said during his performance at Hyde Park in London: “Death’s final and lasting gift to the living is an expanded vision of this life itself.” How grateful I am for the gift of another day.

Efrot Weiss - About the Author

I write to make sense of the world and to clarify my own thoughts about a subject. I seek insights and understanding. I spent a long time writing my essay on breast cancer because I wanted to make sure that I adequately put into words my feelings and thoughts. My hope is that readers of my essay resonate with what I wrote and find it helpful.

I am a writer, cross-cultural coach, and woman dedicated to supporting women's causes. I am currently a member of the leadership team of Impact 100 London (UK), a charity focused on supporting women's charities in London. I have coached and advised senior executives and their teams in navigating cultural differences for almost two decades. In Tokyo, where I lived for more than 16 years, in addition to working as a cross-cultural coach, I facilitated board retreats for non-profit organizations focused on mental health, education, and community volunteering. Moreover, I wrote a monthly column on Japanese culture for INTOUCH, the Tokyo American Club magazine. I also launched and ran a speaker series designed to help women thrive through life's challenges and opportunities. My career commenced as a management consultant with PricewaterhouseCoopers working in their London, Tokyo, and NYC offices. I am also an organizer of cultural events in London and Tokyo.

Artist website link