Norwood’s Final Trip Home

ABC News’ Dean Norland Reports: Rep. Charlie Norwood, R-Ga., has decided to forgo further treatment to fight lung cancer and will return to his home in Augusta, Georgia, for hospice care.

Norwood, a practicing dentist before winning a Congressional seat in 1994.  The six-term legislator is perhaps best known for advocating a "Patient’s Bill of Rights".

His office released the following statement on his decision:   

Dr. Norwood decided to forego further hospital treatment after battling non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) since mid-November.  He was initially treated with chemotherapy at Inova Fairfax and Inova Mount Vernon Hospitals, both in the Virginia suburbs outside Washington. 

He was transferred last week to Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington where he was evaluated for Cyberknife laser surgery as a means of combating the NSCLC tumor located in his liver, but has declined the procedure. 

Norwood will depart the nation’s Capitol as soon as an air ambulance flight can be arranged, and will receive 24-hour nursing care at home. 

The Norwood family thanks all who have helped through Congressman Norwood’s extensive health battles since 1998 stemming from Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

They request continued prayers for Charlie and his family.