J. Wilderman Autoplex in Mt. Carmel has welcomed back long-time sales consultant Tommy Lockhart after a nearly year-long absence - while he fought for his life.

"It's a miracle," said Pat Lewis, general manager of the Autoplex. "We're very happy to have him back."

Lockhart, 48, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in August of last year and spent September through November undergoing debilitating chemotherapy and intense radiation treatments in efforts to fight the cancer.

However, in December, doctors told him that the treatments had not been as effective as they had hoped - and informed Lockhart he had four-to-six months to live.

"I took everything the doctors told me with a grain of salt," said Lockhart. "I stayed optimistic."

His optimism paid off.

Lockhart had a follow-up PET scan last month and learned that, inexplicably, there were no longer any active cancer cells in his body.

"Doctors told me they were baffled, mystified," Lockhart said. "They couldn't explain it."

Aside from having dropped from 170-plus pounds down to 132 - his lowest weigh having reached 113 - he shows no outward sign of the struggles he endured over the past year.

Of the experience, he says he is "just really happy to be able to eat again."

Lockhart is currently available by appointment only - to schedule an appointment, call his cell phone at 812-454-3854, or the Autoplex at 262-5161.

J. Wilderman Autoplex, 1422 West 9th St., carries a variety of Ford, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Chevy, Buick and Pontiac vehicles.