Two days after her husband of 67 years died, Norma was told that she had a large, cancerous mass on her uterus. Surgery, radiation and chemotherapy were in order, the doctors told her.
To which Norma replied: “I’m 90 years old, I’m hitting the road."
Instead of cancer treatment, Norma chose adventure. She joined her son Tim, his wife Ramie and their poodle Ringo on an epic RV trip across the country.
(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_GB/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));Avenue of FlagsPosted by Driving Miss Norma on Monday, 31 August 2015
Norma's doctor was supportive of their decision, according to Ramie.
"As doctors we see what cancer treatment looks like every day," he told Norma's family.
"ICU, nursing homes, awful side effects and honestly, there is no guarantee she will survive the initial surgery to remove the mass," the doctor said. "You are doing exactly what I would want to do in this situation.”
(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_GB/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));First hot air balloon ride!!!!!!Posted by Driving Miss Norma on Tuesday, 9 February 2016
Ramie and Tim live in an RV and, not wanting to leave Norma alone after the death of her husband, they invited her to live with them and travel around the country.
They've been on the road for six months, going all over the country to Florida, Mississippi, South Dakota, Louisiana, New Mexico, Arizona and more.
(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_GB/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));Sugar sand...the closest thing to snow for us this season!Posted by Driving Miss Norma on Sunday, 13 December 2015
"She continues to surprise us on this trip," Ramie told ABC News. "She’s getting healthier, I think, from eating well and being outside a lot. She’s breathing fresh air and getting to see new things all the time."
(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_GB/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));Many talented artists in this town.Posted by Driving Miss Norma on Saturday, 28 November 2015
(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_GB/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));Chef Toddzilla's Mobile Cuisine - We like to search for a good burger in our travels. This crazy UFO town has delivered...Posted by Driving Miss Norma on Sunday, 15 November 2015
(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_GB/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));Ringo has taken his therapy role very seriously. Norma is not into the edges part of this adventure. He made sure she was calm while sitting on the edge of the abyss.Posted by Driving Miss Norma on Sunday, 8 November 2015
While going cross-country, the family has shared their memories on a Facebook page, called "Driving Miss Norma." They hope that Norma's story will inspire other families to discuss alternative end-of-life plans.
(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_GB/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));Time to get cleaned up!Posted by Driving Miss Norma on Wednesday, 16 December 2015
The lively 90-year-old's interests include "rock hounding, basket making, knitting, reading, jigsaw puzzles, Sudoku, tea, beer, sweet wine, and traveling."
While on the road, she has made new friends, driven a boat, explored the beach and fulfilled her lifelong dream of riding in a hot air balloon.
(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_GB/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));Amazing Mother Nature Find Your Park Nature Challange.Posted by Driving Miss Norma on Monday, 14 September 2015
The Facebook page currently has more than 70,000 followers.
“I’m pleased to know that I can be an inspiration to so many," Norma said of her following.
(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_GB/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));Hesitant captain. I'm sure we are in good hands!Posted by Driving Miss Norma on Wednesday, 23 December 2015
The trio's upcoming travel plans are uncertain, but they will go wherever Norma decides she wants to see next.
(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_GB/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));You get the idea!Posted by Driving Miss Norma on Wednesday, 27 January 2016