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Epilogue The pig declares "She’s cured!" This joke is tied to a card that we sent to Nana after the bone marrow engrafted that showed a pig on the cover and inside asked, "Are you cured yet?"

Chemo^© ("Papa," my dad) declares, "Me, too!" to tell everyone that his prostrate cancer surgery was also successful and his cancer is gone!

And, of course, the endolphin^© laughs.

There is a lot in this picture besides the joy. There are 3 nurses whose pictures we received from Nana. And, of course, Dr. Ballester had to be there. And Auntie-Body,^© Chemo,^© and Rad.^© And the cats. The "not an episode" is framed and on the wall. The balloons and confetti symbolize the joy. But wait, there’s more!

Look close. Rad^© has mail in his hand and I’ll bet it is addressed to him! And everyone has an episode of "Auntie-Body^© "! Now if you look at each episode carefully, you can almost make out the whole story. Chemo,^© for example, is holding Episode 9, Assault and Battery. Rad^© has Episode 8, Rad^© Returns. Can you guess what everyone else has in hand?

Nana Haldane is cured. Thanks go to Auntie-Body,^© Chemo,^© and Rad,^© without whom the miracle would never have happened. But there were quite literally THOUSANDS of people who should be thanked (Tim referred to a "cast of billions!"). Lorraine, the serendipitous model for our heroine, gave not only bone marrow, but months away from her family in Maine, prayers, tears, anger, nursing skills learned just for the occasion, and unbelievable moral support. Dad (Chemo^©) and Charlie (Rad^©) drove hundreds of miles, took samples and patients to doctors, nursed their wives, cooked meals, cleaned house, prayed, cried, laughed, hoped, encouraged, cajoled, … you get the idea.

Then there were the donors. The Church of the Messiah in Los Angeles and the Arbor Grove Congregational Church in Jackson, Michigan who prayed and gave generously from their hearts and pocketbooks to support the efforts. The prayers of people we know and many, many more who we will never know. The anonymous man who, quite literally out of the blue, gave $10,000 so that the bone marrow transplant could take place.

There are blood donors who will never know that they helped save Tim’s Nana. She is living proof that each time you donate a pint, it may save a life!

And the hospital, the Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute in Tampa, Florida, that allowed, for a time, the family to use an 800 number for the phones calls to Nana from Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, California, and Arizona. The staff who were generous, thoughtful, and helpful to the cause. The very special Dr. Oscar Ballester and the nurses and receptionists and aides (oh, how we wish we could have pictured all of you in the story!) who made Nana feel special and who helped her through the darkest hours.

Finally, there is Tim Haldane, a twelve year old boy who wanted to help his Nana in the best way he knew, using his talents to create an uplifting story of hope, love, and miracles; who over two years created a priceless gift to his Nana, his family, and to those who are fortunate enough to share in the story.

Thanks to each of you, miracles DO happen!

John L. Haldane August, 1994

POSTSCRIPT:

Marian Haldane died March 12, 1995 when the cancer escaped to soft tissue. Her family was at her side. The bone marrow transplant WAS a success and the myeloma WAS removed from her bone marrow, so this story is still true. The escape to soft tissue astonished everyone, including the doctors.

Charles Roberts died August 8, 2000 of cancer.

Robert Haldane, Jr. continues to battle prostate cancer and is currently experiencing success (2004) with a PSA of 0.2.

Lorraine Roberts lives in Maine with her children and grandchildren.

Tim Haldane received hid B.A. from Arizona State University in Fine Arts in 2002. He is currently seeking employment in the computer animation field (films or games).

This story is dedicated to them and to all who battle cancer within themselves or others. Auntie-Body^©, Chemo^©, Rad^© and all the rest of their supporting cast continue to battle the evils of cancer and bodily diseases. We all still believe in miracles.

John L. Haldane, February 2004.