It's been more than 50 years since an elderly California woman battling terminal cancer got her dream job of flying when her final wish to fly came true.
Janet McAnally, 79, was recently diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, so she stopped all treatment and instead decided to plan for the time she has left, including returning to the sky through a last wish program offered by hospice care. I chose to enjoy it. KOVR TV reported.
The center contacted United Airlines pilot Rob Davis, who took McAnally on an incredible hour-long flight through Calaveras County, California, and allowed him to fly a plane for the first time.
“I think it was more excitement than emotion until we finished it and realized what we had done,” McAnally said.
“It was raining earlier, so the land looked very beautiful. Suddenly, the moon started to rise, and I think that caught my attention and made me a little emotional.”
McAnally dreamed of traveling the world from an early age and eventually became a flight attendant for Trans World Airlines in 1971 at the age of 26, the newspaper reported.
Her career lasted only seven years, but she never forgot her first love.
“I opened the cover of my fourth-grade geography book and there was a black-and-white picture of the Sphinx and the pyramids,” she told the outlet.
“I thought, ‘I want to see the world.’ It became my obsession.”
McAnally's cancer recently spread to her spine, forcing her to stop all treatment.
She is currently only receiving pain management and other services at home from Amador and Calaveras Hospice, the newspaper said.
The jet-setter said she was given a whole new outlook on life when she stopped fighting her illness and instead chose to appreciate every moment she passed.
“I've had a great life,” McAnally said.
“Even if you only have a month or two left, there's no point in sitting around doing nothing or just moaning and crying. It's better to cry happy tears and have as much fun as possible.”
