While many people’s first instinct after hearing a cancer diagnosis is to fight, others choose to forgo the treatments and make the most of their time rather than spending their last months in a stuffy hospital being poked and prodded by doctors and nurses.
Just two days after her husband of 67 years, Leo, passed away in July, this 90-year-old woman from Michigan named Norma was dealing with her own health crisis. Doctors found a large cancerous mass on her uterus, which would require surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
Instead of resigning herself to months of brutal treatments, which her five-foot, 101-pound frame would likely not survive, she boldly announced to the doctor that she would be ‘hitting the road’ instead.
“We explained to the well-meaning doctor and his student that we live in an RV and that we will be taking her wherever she wants to go,” Norma’s son Tim wrote in a post to Facebook. “He didn’t hesitate to say, “RIGHT ON!” We asked if he thought us irresponsible for this approach. His reply was telling.”
“As doctors,” he said, “we see what cancer treatment looks like every day. ICU, nursing homes, awful side effects and honestly, there is no guarantee she will survive the initial surgery to remove the mass. You are doing exactly what I would want to do in this situation. Have a fantastic trip!”
Together with Tim and her daughter-in-law Ramie, the three set out on the road in a 36-foot motor home in late August with their standard Poodle to see America.
Together, they’ve been documenting their incredible journey on a Facebook page called Driving Miss Norma. Norma is loving being able to live in the moment, and is not in any pain or suffering from any cancer side-effects.
“We see a spark in her eye that we haven’t seen in a very long time,” Ramie said.
Would you have made the same choice Norma made if you were put in this situation?
Let us know what you think in the comments below, and please SHARE this amazing story with friends and family on Facebook.
[Featured image credit: Facebook/Driving Miss Norma]
Adventurous 90-Year-Old Forgoes Cancer Treatment To Travel The Country In An RV is an article from: LifeDaily