Patch Columnist Details Her Amazing 'Journey'

For many years family, friends, medical staff and a host of others have often said to me that my medical history is an amazing story.

The number of trials and near-brushes with death read like a "Ripley’s Believe It or Not" story, including a half dozen bouts with cancer and a near-fatal car crash.  So many times, people have commented that I have inspired them in some way.  And, the most frequent statement has been, “You should write a book.”

Well, I finally took all of that to heart and decided now was a good time to tell my story to the general public.

It seemed that more and more people were curious about the number of cancers I have had—has it been six, seven or eight? Some people knew I had what I called a heart attack (but the doctors list it as a heart “episode”). Just what’s the difference? Still others who have known me for decades know I was in a fatal car crash and can’t believe I survived.  

 And what does one do when you have a nose bleed that doesn’t stop? How does one handle surgery when one’s blood doesn’t properly clot? Do you pray the problem has a name and treatment plan?

Yes, I prayed the disorder would be accurately diagnosed, that the treatment options would be available and that the doctors treating me would understand all of it. This was actually a major issue during the years I lived through domestic violence.

But yet again, I survived.

Now, it felt right to put all these things together, answer some questions, and hopefully not open a Pandora’s Box to even more unanswered questions. Now is the time to share hope and inspiration to others who experience a multitude of problems that are not “all in your head.”

So in December, as I finished a 20-month stint with breast cancer, I met with a co-owner of Perfect Publishing  Ken Rochon, who also owns Perfect Networker. We set a deadline to submit the manuscript, a date to go to print and a date to deliver the finished book into my hands. 

Having written the majority of it over the years, the hardest thing I faced was editing out information that didn’t fit the book’s profile. It wasn’t as easy as I had hoped, but I did meet the deadlines.

A 10-inch snowfall and several days without electricity pushed the delivery date back a few days. However on Feb. 26, while live on the air of the Perfect Venture radio show, Rochon presented me with the first copy of my book, Anna's Journey.  I didn’t cry on the air, but I did cry a bit on my way to , where I held my first book signing.  Wow. Was that ever awesome!

Currently the book is available on sale at Bateman’s Express, and at The Neck Stop in Essex.  The book is also available online at Causes and Heroes, Inc. And yes, there will be book signings to support Relay For Life teams and several other non-profits before the book is released to a bookstore—a decision I made, to which my publisher agreed. 

This is an opportunity for me to give back to some folks who have given so much love and support to me through this most recent cancer as well as some of the others. This will put money into their treasuries, allowing them to then help others as the needs arise.

If you are curious about the book, watch for an announcement about the launch of my website or email me at annarenault@ymail.com.

Here is a list of my upcoming book signings:

• Women's Expo Conference — March 10, 11 at Book Lovers’ Café: 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.; Aloft Hotel, 1741 West Nursery Road, Linthicum, MD 21090. No admission fee to the Book Lovers’ Café. See website for conference registration info.
•  CCBC Women's Expo — March 12-13, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m, CCBC Catonsville, 800 Rolling RD, Catonsville, MD 21228. Admission is free.
• Connections Over Coffee —  Friday, March 18, On Purpose Networking for Women, Overlea Center, 6809 Belair Road, 21206; 10 a.m. – noon
• Greenhouse Grille Restaurant —  Saturday, March 19, 6914 Richie Hwy, Glen Burnie, 21061; 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• — Wednesday, March 23, 610 Compass Rd, Middle River, 21220; 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• University of Maryland —  Tuesday, March 29, College Park; at 7 p.m.
• SERNRA Regional Conference — May 24-27, Biloxi, MS; Tues, Weds, Thurs 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Fri 9 a.m.-noon.