A 90-year-old grandmother from Michigan was diagnosed with cancer and was presented with cancer treatment options by her doctors. However, instead of picking chemotherapy, radiation or surgery, she decided to go on a road trip with her family.
Doctors told Norma that she had uterine cancer two days after her husband Leo's death. The couple were married for more than 67 years and lived away from their son, Tim. When Norma's family learned of her condition and her choice, they rallied behind her and decided to join her on the trip.
That was six months ago, and the family are still traveling all over the United States." "She's very quiet and humble, and then she has this streak of adventure that surprises us," said Norma's daughter-in-law, Ramie.
They have already been to Mount Rushmore, the Rocky Mountains, Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Canyon and Disney World. They also saw Norma experience a hot air balloon ride during their Christmas in Florida. Tim and Ramie had given this as their gift to their mom, but it's Norma who usually calls the shots about where they should go. The family is still around Florida as they chart their next destination.
"She continues to surprise us on this trip. She's getting healthier, I think, from eating well and being outside a lot," Ramie added.
The family created the Facebook Page, Driving Miss Norma, to document the 90-year-old's adventures, which also included the family dog, Ringo.
In recognition of six months together on the road, we celebrate the fuzzy guy who keeps us sane.
Posted by Driving Miss Norma on Tuesday, February 23, 2016
"We couldn't imagine leaving her in a nursing home, especially after walking down the long halls of the local Tender Care to visit Leo in the last room on the right, reserved by Hospice, for the dying. No way. There is also no way she could live at home alone without Leo. They were truly a well-oiled team of 67 years," Norma's family wrote on the page.
They hope that Norma's story will inspire others when the inevitable choice is laid for them. "Everyone has different ideas about how they want the end of their life to work," said Ramie. "As a planet, we need to have this conversation."
