Two days after watching her husband die in hospice care, 90-year-old Norma, from Michigan in the United States, was diagnosed with uterine cancer.

Her best options included surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.

Exhausted by the week's ordeal, Norma made the difficult decision to forgo treatment and instead spend the rest of her life pursuing one of her great loves.

"I'm 90-years-old, I'm hitting the road," she told her doctor.

Norma has spent just over six months living in a motor home with her son Tim, and daughter-in-law Ramie, touring some of the most famous sites in the US.

She has visited Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, travelled to the Grand Canyon in Arizona, braved aliens in Roswell, New Mexico, and boogied down in New Orleans.

In January, she fulfilled one of her dreams by taking a hot air balloon ride in Florida.

Norma drinking a beer on Ormond Beach in Florida. ( Facebook: Driving Miss Norma )

Since embarking on the trip, a Facebook page originally set up to allow friends and family to track Norma's road trip across the country, has attracted more than 145,000 followers.

Hundreds of messages of support from people young and old, and all over the world, flood the page every day.

"You are an inspiration and a reminder to others there are other options and quality of life to consider," wrote Wanda Manning.

"You're famous all around the world now. Let me know when you're coming to Europe," Sabine Mahler wrote.

Ramie said the family was "completely overwhelmed".

"Our hearts are filled beyond imagination," she said.

"Never in our wildest dreams did we think our simple solution to a typical family situation would strike such a chord worldwide."

Norma and her son Tim after a day visiting the Kennedy Space Centre. ( Facebook: Driving Miss Norma )

While Norma is not in pain, the family said they did worry in the beginning whether the trip was irresponsible.

"[One doctor] begged her to follow through with 'traditional' treatment, saying: 'Don't you want to live to be 95?," Ramie said.

Another fully supported the decision.

"As doctors, we see what cancer treatment looks like everyday," he said.

"Intensive care units, nursing homes, awful side effects — 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!"

Norma's trip has featured in a number of local news reports in the US, which has prompted a discussion about the pros and cons of end-of-life care.

Ramie said she hoped the trip would help families start their own conversation.

"We are grateful that a conversation has started about end-of-life care. There are so many lessons in this journey," she said.

And what does Norma say about it all?

"Well, it is a once in a lifetime opportunity, that's for sure."