第21章 人间天使One Determined Angel
多萝西·罗丝 /Dorothy Rose
She looked so fragile and helpless. I was told she didn't even speak English. Olga and her family had come from Puerto Rico to receive the expert medical care that was unavailable in her own country.
I was working in the intensive care unit of our local children's hospital, as one of Olga's nurses. I couldn't help but think how frightened this little girl must feel with all those scary tubes, machines and monitors around her. When she opened her eyes, she was incredibly beautiful and smiling back at me with big brown eyes.
When her mother arrived early the next morning, she said to me, “My husband must return to Puerto Rico. He needs to go back to work. I'll stay here, near Olga, with her sister and brother, so she can get the medical help she needs to stay alive.” As we talked, I discovered that Olga's mother was the only one in her household who spoke English.
The family had been staying at the Ronald McDonald House but would soon need to move into more permanent housing. Since they didn't have anyone else to help them set up housekeeping, I volunteered.
As I attempted to help get an apartment for Olga's family. I was told, “It's impossible. The child's mother isn't working, and her father doesn't even live in this country.”
After I told this story to some of my nurse friends, one of them contacted our local newspaper. One columnist promised he would write their story, but added, “This will be my last column of this sort. These stories just don't sell papers anymore.”
That's when Becky, our determined angel, arrived. She was a vibrant, talkative and charming volunteer. We talked, and immediately she had some excellent ideas. As we concluded our conversation, she said, “Oh, by the way, I have cancer, but I'm under treatment.”
Despite her condition, Becky took charge. She not only found housing for Olga and her family, but also helped with everything else they need. I asked myself, how could this woman do so much when she had such diff iculties of her own?
Becky got the children enrolled in a bilingual program and was able to f ind the mother a job close to home. When winter set in, Becky would go home from work, start dinner, check on the children and then call Olga's mother to see if she had a ride home from the hospital. If she didn't, Becky would bring her home.
In April 2000, I was invited to attend the annual Jefferson Awards luncheon. F ive outstanding volunteers from each state are nominated, and one is selected to represent his or her state in the national competetition in Washington, D.C. Not only was Becky chosen, but she also won the top award. She not only helped this family in need, but she also helped others f ight their own battles with cancer.
In 1998, Becky was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The doctors weren't optimistic, but she was strong-willed and determined. Today, she continues to share her experiences heartaches and triumphs. She is constantly placing the concerns and care of others before her own.
Becky is living proof that the human spirit can be remarkable, even under the most adverse conditions. Olga and her family thrive thanks to a determined, kind-hearted woman.
她看上去如此脆弱和无助。有人说她连英语都不会说。为了接受专家治疗，奥尔加和家人从波多黎各赶来，因为他们国家的医疗条件十分有限。
我在本地一家儿童医院的特护中心工作，是护理奥尔加的人员之一。我禁不住会想，对一个小女孩来说，整天被那些恐怖的导管、仪器和监视器包围着一定很害怕。她张开双眼时，总是美丽得令人难以置信，她会眨着深褐色的大眼睛，向我微笑。
第二天，她妈妈来得很早，对我说：“我丈夫必须回波多黎各了，他得回去工作。我和奥尔加的弟弟妹妹会留下来陪她，这样她就可以接受治疗，继续活下去了。”交谈中，我发现他们家只有奥尔加的妈妈会说英文。
他们一家暂时在麦当劳叔叔之家（儿童慈善基金会）落脚，但不久就得搬到一个更稳定的住处。由于没有人帮他们照料家务，我便自愿前往。
当我要帮他们一家找房子时，有人对我说：“这不太可能。孩子的妈妈没有工作，甚至连爸爸都不在本国。”
后来，我把这个故事告诉了护士朋友们，其中一个人联系了当地的一家报纸。一位专栏负责人答应会写下这个故事，但他加了一句：“这是我们栏目最后一次写这类故事了，因为它现在已不是卖点了。”
就在这时，我们坚强的天使贝基出现了。她是一个开朗、健谈且迷人的志愿者。我们聊了聊，很快她就有了绝妙的主意。交谈结束时，她说：“噢，顺便说一声，我得了癌症，不过正在治疗中。”
贝基不顾自己的病情，担起了帮助奥尔加一家的责任。她不仅给他们找到了住处，还提供了他们所需的一切。我问自己，这个女人重病缠身，为何还能为他人做这么多呢？
贝基让这些孩子们上了双语学校，并帮那位母亲找了份离家近的工作。冬天快到了，贝基总会下班回家帮他们准备晚饭，照看孩子，并打电话问奥尔加的妈妈是否离开医院回家了。如果没有，她就开车去接她。
2000年4月，我应邀参加每年的杰佛逊奖颁奖午宴。获得提名的五位杰出志愿者分别来自五个州，他们中将有一位被选出并代表其所在的州去华盛顿哥伦比亚特区参加全国评选。贝基不仅入选，还获得了最高奖励，因为她不只帮助了奥尔加一家，还帮助了许多其他癌症患者战胜病魔。
1998年，诊断结果显示，贝基患有卵巢癌。医生认为她的病情并不乐观，但她本人坚信一定会战胜病魔。如今，她仍在继续分享着自己的经验、痛苦和成功，以激励他人。她一如既往地将对别人的关心与照顾放在首位。
贝基用自己的行动证明，就算身处逆境，人类的顽强精神依然会带来奇迹。奥尔加一家现在生活得很好，他们对这位果断热心的女性感激万分。
记忆填空
1.I was working in the intensive_______ unit of our local children's hospital, as one of Olga's_______. I couldn't help but think how frightened this little girl_______feel with all those scary tubes, machines and monitors_______her.
2.The family had been_______ at the Ronald McDonald House but would soon_______to move into more permanent housing._______ they didn't have anyone else to_______ them set up housekeeping, I volunteered.
3.In 1998, Becky was diagnosed_______ovarian cancer. The doctors weren't optimistic, but she was strong-willed and_______.
佳句翻译
1.为了接受专家治疗，奥尔加和家人从波多黎各赶来，因为他们国家的医疗条件十分有限。
译_______________________________________________________________
2.她不仅给他们找到了住处，还提供了他们所需的一切。
译_______________________________________________________________
3.贝基用自己的行动证明，就算身处逆境，人类的顽强精神依然会带来奇迹。
译_______________________________________________________________
短语应用
1.As we concluded our conversation, she said,“Oh, by the way, I have cancer, but I'm under treatment.”
by the way：顺便提一下；另外
造_______________________________________________________________
2.When winter set in, Becky would go home from work, start dinner, check on the children and then call Olga's mother to see if she had a ride home from the hospital.
set in：开始；到来，来临
造_______________________________________________________________