NOBLESVILLE, Ind. -- It was her greatest fear, but also her dying wish -- to be able to ride in a hot air balloon. In September 2008, an Indianapolis woman got the chance, thanks to an organization that grants wishes for terminally ill adults.

Despite being afraid of heights, Karen Beck was determined to conquer her fears in what doctors said are likely the final months of her life, WRTV-TV in Indianapolis reported.

The 54-year-old was battling breast cancer, which had spread to her lungs, brain and liver, she said.

"You're going to die, and you start looking back on all the things I should have done, (thinking,) 'What can I do?'" she said.

Her family contacted the Dream Foundation, a national organization that grants wishes for adults much the way the Make-A-Wish Foundation does for children.

Officials with a local RE/MAX office agreed to provide the balloon and Beck, with her sister by her side, took off from the Noblesville Airport just before sunset.

"It's just quiet. You just float around. You have a sensation of not being part of the world, just looking down at it," she said.

The ride was followed by a celebration with friends and family. Beck said the opportunity changed her outlook on her life and her death.

"Now I look at the time I've got left as a gift and just realize how wonderful this Earth looks from up there. It's beautiful, in spite of everything," she said.