90-Year-Old With Cancer Chooses Epic Road Trip With Family Instead Of Treatment
The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed out of the Window and Disappeared was only a book (ok, and a film). Believe it or not however, the 90-year-old woman who went on a road trip with her family instead of choosing cancer treatment is the remarkable true story of Norma, a Michigan woman who said no to chemotherapy and yes to living her dream.
Norma was diagnosed with uterine cancer soon after Leo, her husband of 67 years, passed away in July of 2015. When her doctor informed her about her possibilities for treatment, Norma refused the options available and instead decided to do the unexpected.
“I’m 90-years-old, I’m hitting the road”, she said. And that’s exactly what she did, and she’s been on the road ever since. Along with her son and his wife, the three have traveled all over the United States and they don’t look like they’re stopping any time soon. You can follow their inspiring journey on her Facebook page, Driving Miss Norma.
More info: Facebook (h/t: twistedsifter)
When 90-year-old Norma discovered she had cancer, she decided to hit the road
Doctors told her she could undergo chemotherapy, but Norma had other ideas
“I’m 90-years-old, I’m hitting the road”, she said. And that’s exactly what she did
Along with her son Tim and her daughter-in-law Ramie, Norma set off on an epic road trip across the United States
With no guarantee that she’d survive the surgery and chemotherapy necessary to treat her cancer, she decided to enjoy the time she had left by doing the things she’s always wanted to do
They’ve traveled across several states and have visited many places on their amazing journey
But while Norma has been busy, she’s still had time to stop and smell the roses
They’ve been to many places including Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone National Park and the Rocky Mountains…
…And they’ve seen plenty of different flora and fauna along the way
Their journey hasn’t just been confined to the road either!
But wherever she goes, she always has a smile
She’s even traveled in a hot air balloon!
Norma was determined to make the most of life after her husband of 67 years passed away last year
When asked how she stayed so positive, she said “just keep on going every day, that’s about it”
Norma has made a number of interesting friends on her journey so far!
Occasionally she stops to take a rest but she’s soon back on the road again
They left Michigan in an RV in August 2015 and they’re still on the road 6 months later!
And, of course, she needs to keep her energy levels up by eating well!
Their journey doesn’t seem to be ending anytime soon. Who knows where they’ll go next?
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That's a very lovely supportive family. I bet many seniors would love such an experience, but mostly they can't make it alone, and their families cannot afford such a dream due to lack of time and money. My respect goes to this family and this cute grandma.
What a great response to an awful situation! Her family will cherish these moments a lot more than if they were visiting her in the hospital or hospice care, and seeing her spirit slowly leach away. Go Norma!
If someone told you you are going to die at 45. Would that be reason enough to do the same dream-fulfilling decision and effort before age 45? I think one should view life and age not in terms of absolute numbers, but in terms of %. If you are 40 and diagnosed with cancer and have two years left, then in percentage terms you are at 95% of your life. That makes you as "old" as a 80 year old with 4 more years to live. And let's face it - just because nobody *tells* us that we'll die before 70 or 80 - what are the odds that we will? I think many are already at 80% or 90% but don't know it. In that respect, wouldn't be better to just assume a "deadline" of 60 and fulfill your life's dream before that and then cherish the memories and sense of accomplishment every year thereafter? It's your life's DREAM. You only get one life. Yes - job, family, obligations... in the end it's a trade-off and matter of priorities and having "the right regrets".
When the average cost of treatment for one year is more than $200K, and you have no guarantees whatsoever to get cured...I would too spend my money dying happy! She is my hero!
That is very inspirational. She is blessed with high age and supporting family. But I think one shouldn't have to wait until 90 to fulfill your life's dream. Would it be much better to actually fulfill your life's dream as early as possible and then live the rest of your live chilled, basically getting the most exciting part out of the way early and feeding off that memory for the rest of your life? I think it's optimistic to plan life as if it was granted that you get to live to 90 or even 80. So much can happen any day. Friends, of mine died of stroke or cancer in their forties. Shouldn't "living your dream" be a priority much earlier on? Yes, there are always constraints, job, family, obligations. But hey - you only have one life. At the end of it, is it really an excuse to say - well, I didn't really get to live my dream because of XXX. In the end it's all about choices and trade-offs and priorities. Great she had the time!
What a wise wise woman and what a wonderful son and DIL! She's so blessed! They told my Grandmother at 89 that she had a small lump in her breast and it needed to be removed - she asked why? Am I going to live long enough to die from this? They said no - soooo she said no. She died pain-free at 92 after having said goodbye to all her living children and me, whom she raised. I was the last to see her alive - got a squeezed hand, a smile, and I love you. She turned over in bed, and quietly passed on. Sorely missed - greatly loved - and sooo happy she didn't go through all the horror of the surgery and chemo at that age.
Her story is so inspirational. She with her courage gives hope and respect to her age mates
Awesome lady. Personally, if I knew I had cancer and would die in a few years, the LAST thing I'd want to do is travel. I'd stay home, swim as much as possible, and finish my book.
Good for her and her amazingly supportive family. Wish her the best of luck
As a fellow cancer patient, I hope her pain is being well controlled. The road trip won't cure her, but she's making happy memories.
Loved reading this. A little ray of sunshine on a cloudy day! Happy trails to you, Until we meet again, Happy trails to you, Keep smiling on til then :-)
That's a very lovely supportive family. I bet many seniors would love such an experience, but mostly they can't make it alone, and their families cannot afford such a dream due to lack of time and money. My respect goes to this family and this cute grandma.
What a great response to an awful situation! Her family will cherish these moments a lot more than if they were visiting her in the hospital or hospice care, and seeing her spirit slowly leach away. Go Norma!
If someone told you you are going to die at 45. Would that be reason enough to do the same dream-fulfilling decision and effort before age 45? I think one should view life and age not in terms of absolute numbers, but in terms of %. If you are 40 and diagnosed with cancer and have two years left, then in percentage terms you are at 95% of your life. That makes you as "old" as a 80 year old with 4 more years to live. And let's face it - just because nobody *tells* us that we'll die before 70 or 80 - what are the odds that we will? I think many are already at 80% or 90% but don't know it. In that respect, wouldn't be better to just assume a "deadline" of 60 and fulfill your life's dream before that and then cherish the memories and sense of accomplishment every year thereafter? It's your life's DREAM. You only get one life. Yes - job, family, obligations... in the end it's a trade-off and matter of priorities and having "the right regrets".
When the average cost of treatment for one year is more than $200K, and you have no guarantees whatsoever to get cured...I would too spend my money dying happy! She is my hero!
That is very inspirational. She is blessed with high age and supporting family. But I think one shouldn't have to wait until 90 to fulfill your life's dream. Would it be much better to actually fulfill your life's dream as early as possible and then live the rest of your live chilled, basically getting the most exciting part out of the way early and feeding off that memory for the rest of your life? I think it's optimistic to plan life as if it was granted that you get to live to 90 or even 80. So much can happen any day. Friends, of mine died of stroke or cancer in their forties. Shouldn't "living your dream" be a priority much earlier on? Yes, there are always constraints, job, family, obligations. But hey - you only have one life. At the end of it, is it really an excuse to say - well, I didn't really get to live my dream because of XXX. In the end it's all about choices and trade-offs and priorities. Great she had the time!
What a wise wise woman and what a wonderful son and DIL! She's so blessed! They told my Grandmother at 89 that she had a small lump in her breast and it needed to be removed - she asked why? Am I going to live long enough to die from this? They said no - soooo she said no. She died pain-free at 92 after having said goodbye to all her living children and me, whom she raised. I was the last to see her alive - got a squeezed hand, a smile, and I love you. She turned over in bed, and quietly passed on. Sorely missed - greatly loved - and sooo happy she didn't go through all the horror of the surgery and chemo at that age.
Her story is so inspirational. She with her courage gives hope and respect to her age mates
Awesome lady. Personally, if I knew I had cancer and would die in a few years, the LAST thing I'd want to do is travel. I'd stay home, swim as much as possible, and finish my book.
Good for her and her amazingly supportive family. Wish her the best of luck
As a fellow cancer patient, I hope her pain is being well controlled. The road trip won't cure her, but she's making happy memories.
Loved reading this. A little ray of sunshine on a cloudy day! Happy trails to you, Until we meet again, Happy trails to you, Keep smiling on til then :-)
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