“My goal during the trip was to overcome disability resulting from cancer and to see places I had never been…to see America in all its beauty, especially as it progressed through the color changes of fall.”
– Anna Renault, Public Speaker
Anna Renault had a long-time dream of undertaking a train trip to travel around the United States. In October 2017, she accomplished her dream—she completed a 30-days train trip, witnessing America in all its glory and diversity. What made it so rewarding and enriching for Anna was that she did this while undergoing treatment for metastatic breast cancer.
Anna has chosen to live the best life she can, enjoying every moment of her time on Earth. Successfully completing the trip and her amazing experiences during the trip gave her a “Wow!” feeling.
Dealing with Cancer and Disability When Planning a Trip
Anna was not sure that she would be able to undertake this trip. Naturally, she had to do a lot of planning. While still under medical care and treatment, the 30-day trip was going to be quite a challenge for Anna. Finally, with her doctor’s encouragement and lots of faith, she set off. “I hopped the train in Baltimore, Maryland, then traveled to Chicago, San Antonio, up the west coast to Takoma. Next, I went across Montana and North Dakota… through Chicago to Kalamazoo to Chicago and back to Baltimore,” Anna shares excitedly.
A Memorable Trip Against All Odds
The trip wasn’t easy with Anna’s ongoing cancer treatment. She was, however, determined to make it a resounding success. She traveled with a wheeled walker, dealt with food allergies, and continued chemo treatment and medication for her cancer. All through the journey, the constant pain resulting from cancer affected her bones, but that did not diminish the glow of happiness and contentment Anna had.
Anna reminisces, “It was a blessing to have lunch with a childhood friend in Texas and to meet a Facebook friend in Tacoma, WA”. She was also able to inspire others to strive and overcome disability at a conference in Monterey, CA. During the trip, she also attended book-fair events in Manteca, CA and Kalamazoo, MI.
Boldly Living with Cancer
Anna’s drive to constantly strive and overcome the disabilities associated with cancer has resulted in her achieving incredible feats. She has been a great warrior, fighting cancer for the last 41 years, overcoming a number of bouts of cancer. Completing her dream of a train trip around the USA at 67, and as she faces the prospect of cancer spreading and her hospice care getting nearer, Anna shows the true spirit of striving by living a content and fulfilling life.
