VOA标准英语2010年-New Experimental Drug for Pancreatic C

"I never take credit for God's healing in people." - PastorDaniel Negroni

Nearly a year ago, Daniel Rocha, a television producer in the Washington area, received a death sentence. He had an aggressive form of pancreatic cancer that was spreading rapidly through his body.  Doctors gave him a few weeks to live.  Then a doctor with an experimental combination of medicines and a pastor¹ with a spiritual approach turned Daniel's life around. 

Radio-television producer Daniel Rocha, originally from Colombia,  is enjoying a moment of health.  Nine months ago he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, one of the most lethal² forms of cancer. "I remember when I was taken into surgery my wife was with me and told me -champion you are not leaving us, you have three children," he recalled.

Daniel's pancreas was removed, but the cancer had already spread to his liver. 

At the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders³ in Maryland, Oncologist Victor Priego says the life expectancy⁴ of someone with Daniel's disease is about 4 months. "At the time I saw him, he had really very advanced cancer, practically 60 to 70 percent of his liver was replaced by cancer cells," Dr. Priego explained.

Several months ago, Dr. Priego started Daniel on chemotherapy.  The treatment is part of a national study that combines the drug Gemzar, traditionally used for pancreatic cancer, with an experimental drug.

"He got a second drug, in addition to Gemzar, it's called "Abraxane." That's the experimental drug," Dr. Priego said.  "The drug, we know is effective in breast cancer and lung cancer."

Dr. Priego says so far the combination has been effective in prolonging life for patients with pancratic cancer.  The clinical trial is being run by the Sarah Cannon⁵ Research Institute in Nashville. "This is how progress in cancer treatment is made, by trying new drugs and eventually this combination may become the standard treatment for pancreatic cancer. My guess is that it's going to be very effective," he said.

A few weeks before Daniel was strong enough for chemotherapy, he had a spiritual experience that he says saved his life. 

He was in the hospital, running a high fever and declining quickly.

Evangelical Pastor Daniel Negroni visited Daniel and invited him to pray.   "I started to feel great peace and happiness.  Then the pastor told me to make a deal with God because he was healing me,"  Rocha said.

Daniel says that night the fever disappeared and he started to recover.  He became friends with Pastor Negroni who says he too has experienced the healing power of spirituality. "It was a simple prayer of healing.  When I open my eyes I saw that Daniel seemed relieved.  I never take credit for God's healing in people," he said.

Many doctors recognize that patients, like Daniel,  with strong family support, a  positive attitude and an active spiritual life have a greater chance to survive.   

"I don't think I would say he is free of cancer. I would say that he is in what we call a solid partial remission which means that the majority of the cancer cells have disappeared," Dr. Priego said.

Daniel Rocha's ordeal⁶ is far from over.  He lost 70 pounds but has recently gained  some weight.  He will continue with chemotherapy for some time, but he feels well and takes long walks with his family. 

He has started to work again in a limited way. He is well enough to play the guitar again. And he plans to help others who are seriously ill.
 

1 pastor   

n.牧师，牧人

参考例句：

• He was the son of a poor pastor.他是一个穷牧师的儿子。
• We have no pastor at present:the church is run by five deacons.我们目前没有牧师：教会的事是由五位执事管理的。

2 lethal   

adj.致死的；毁灭性的

参考例句：

• A hammer can be a lethal weapon.铁锤可以是致命的武器。
• She took a lethal amount of poison and died.她服了致命剂量的毒药死了。

3 disorders   

n.混乱( disorder的名词复数 )；凌乱；骚乱；（身心、机能）失调

参考例句：

• Reports of anorexia and other eating disorders are on the increase. 据报告，厌食症和其他饮食方面的功能紊乱发生率正在不断增长。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The announcement led to violent civil disorders. 这项宣布引起剧烈的骚乱。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 expectancy   

n.期望，预期，（根据概率统计求得）预期数额

参考例句：

• Japanese people have a very high life expectancy.日本人的平均寿命非常长。
• The atomosphere of tense expectancy sobered everyone.这种期望的紧张气氛使每个人变得严肃起来。

5 cannon   

n.大炮，火炮；飞机上的机关炮

参考例句：

• The soldiers fired the cannon.士兵们开炮。
• The cannon thundered in the hills.大炮在山间轰鸣。

6 ordeal   

n.苦难经历，（尤指对品格、耐力的）严峻考验

参考例句：

• She managed to keep her sanity throughout the ordeal.在那场磨难中她始终保持神志正常。
• Being lost in the wilderness for a week was an ordeal for me.在荒野里迷路一星期对我来说真是一场磨难。