From a medical perspective, estimation is a soothing word, based on expertise and clinical track records. But realistically, estimations are just that – estimations. As I have shared in previous columns, I am getting treated for bone marrow cancer – known as multiple myeloma (not to be confused with melanoma – a malignant skin cancer), and recently went ahead with a second stem cell transplant – actually an infusion of my own stem cells to resurrect the red, white and platelet cells that were literally obliterated by very toxic chemotherapy.
In my human doctor’s estimation, doing so was necessary and a very effective arrow in a quiver of limited treatments. In my human estimation, I would tolerate it as well as I did seven years ago when I received my first stem cell transplant. As the Yiddish saying goes, Man plans (estimates) and Hashem laughs. He does not give estimations. He is all-knowing, and davening is the ultimate arrow in the quiver of refuah. (PS, recovering, baruch Hashem.)
