Better Off Bald
Andrea Wilson Woods
Better Off Bald is a serialized nonfiction podcast that chronicles the story of 15-year-old Adrienne Wilson's 147-day battle with primary liver cancer. As she lay dying, Adrienne taught others, including her older sister Andrea who raised her, how to live.
...more
All episodes
Best episodes
Top 10 Better Off Bald Episodes
Best episodes ranked by Goodpods Users most listened
Better Off Bald: Episode 39 — Days 1 – 7 — Without Adrienne
Better Off Bald
10/10/17 • 41 min
“Look, if you insist on mentioning our mother, you might as well not write the damn thing at all. My sister wouldn’t have wanted that. Don’t you get it? Our mother lost custody! She’s doesn’t deserve to be listed as a surviving relative; she’s not even invited to the funeral.”
Untitled poem by Adrienne
Better Off Bald chronicles my sister Adrienne’s 147-day battle with liver cancer; the book also shows how I reared Adrienne from the time she was eight until she died at the age of fifteen. For more information about primary liver cancer, go to Blue Faery: The Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer Association.
10/10/17 • 41 min
Better Off Bald: Episode 38 — Day 147
Better Off Bald
10/09/17 • 26 min
Cancer adds to the story of my individual life; it adds to my unique character and sense of humor. John, in my eyes, has never seemed more like a father, and Sissy has never seemed untrapped and free from time and stress. I know that she’s stressed right now, I can see it hiding beneath her smile, but her soul and spirit have never seemed so bright to me before.
Adrienne and Andrea © August 2001
Better Off Bald chronicles my sister Adrienne’s 147-day battle with liver cancer; the book also shows how I reared Adrienne from the time she was eight until she died at the age of fifteen. For more information about primary liver cancer, go to Blue Faery: The Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer Association.
10/09/17 • 26 min
Better Off Bald: Episode 37 — Days 145 – 146
Better Off Bald
10/07/17 • 27 min
“We are taking Adrienne home. She wouldn’t want to be here. I understand the risks. You can’t talk me out of it, so don’t try. Now let’s do what needs to be done and get her home as soon as possible.”
Without flinching, Casey nods and says, “Okay.”
Later, she tells me upon that first impression, her nickname for me was “Andrea Don’t-fuck-with-my-family Wilson.”
Adrienne’s sketch (found after her death)
Better Off Bald chronicles my sister Adrienne’s 147-day battle with liver cancer; the book also shows how I reared Adrienne from the time she was eight until she died at the age of fifteen. For more information about primary liver cancer, go to Blue Faery: The Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer Association.
10/07/17 • 27 min
Better Off Bald: Episode 36 — Days 142 – 144
Better Off Bald
10/04/17 • 28 min
Adrienne pops up like a jack-in-the-box. Her shrieks are coherent despite the mask. Thrashing her thin arms in mid-air, she pushes doctors and nurses away as they grab her limbs. She spots John and me.
“SISSSYYY! STOP. MAKE—STOP,” she yells.
Oh my god! What have they done?
Adrienne, Halloween © October 1995
Better Off Bald chronicles my sister Adrienne’s 147-day battle with liver cancer; the book also shows how I reared Adrienne from the time she was eight until she died at the age of fifteen. For more information about primary liver cancer, go to Blue Faery: The Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer Association.
10/04/17 • 28 min
Better Off Bald: Episode 35 — Days 139 – 141
Better Off Bald
10/01/17 • 22 min
Adrienne is angry because her doctor is giving up on her. I remember Dr. Aquino’s email to Kirsten, which she forwarded to me. His last words were I’m sorry I can’t offer her much help. If I were Adrienne lying in that bed, listening to him, I would have said fuck off too. We are fighters and if Dr. Aquino wants to give up, we’ll find another ally.
Adrienne’s cancer poem
Better Off Bald chronicles my sister Adrienne’s 147-day battle with liver cancer; the book also shows how I reared Adrienne from the time she was eight until she died at the age of fifteen. For more information about primary liver cancer, go to Blue Faery: The Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer Association.
10/01/17 • 22 min
Better Off Bald: Episode 34 — Days 131 – 138
Better Off Bald
09/23/17 • 26 min
You ... don’t know my sister or our family. Well, let me tell you something. We don’t believe in numbers so there’s your prognosis. As far as doing her work, ask her teachers. She is more than capable. School is one of the few things that gives her pleasure now. It brings some normality back into her life. She wants to do the work she would be doing if she could attend school. She doesn’t want to be babied. Why are you punishing an honor student? You don’t have the funds? Tough shit. Find them! It’s the law.”
Better Off Bald chronicles my sister Adrienne’s 147-day battle with liver cancer; the book also shows how I reared Adrienne from the time she was eight until she died at the age of fifteen. For more information about primary liver cancer, go to Blue Faery: The Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer Association.
09/23/17 • 26 min
Better Off Bald: Episode 33 — Days 124 – 130
Better Off Bald
09/16/17 • 25 min
Adrienne’s career list 2000 – present:
- Professor of religion
- Zoologist
- Forensic psychologist
- Full-time artist—painter (gallery) or digital art
- Webcam star
- Fashion designer
- Computer programmer
- Studio musician
Adrienne dressed as Ozzy Osbourne at her sister Andrea’s 70s-themed birthday party © August 1999
Better Off Bald chronicles my sister Adrienne’s 147-day battle with liver cancer; the book also shows how I reared Adrienne from the time she was eight until she died at the age of fifteen. For more information about primary liver cancer, go to Blue Faery: The Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer Association.
09/16/17 • 25 min
Better Off Bald: Episode 32 — Days 118 – 123
Better Off Bald
09/10/17 • 24 min
I am asking for an immediate 504 Hearing (504 being the section of the Rehabilitation Act that covers educational programs). Schools must make reasonable (five hours is not reasonable) accommodations to ensure full, meaningful access to educational programs for eligible, handicapped persons. As a cancer patient, Adrienne is protected under the Rehabilitation Act. I expect this hearing to occur as soon as possible. Adrienne deserves the same education as her peers; she should not be punished for having cancer.
Adrienne with her favorite dog Sophie in Arizona © Labor Day weekend 2000
Better Off Bald chronicles my sister Adrienne’s 147-day battle with liver cancer; the book also shows how I reared Adrienne from the time she was eight until she died at the age of fifteen. For more information about primary liver cancer, go to Blue Faery: The Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer Association.
09/10/17 • 24 min
Better Off Bald: Episode 31 — Days 111 – 117
Better Off Bald
09/03/17 • 25 min
For half a second, my heart soars like a young bird finding its wings, taking its first flight, racing through the air. Then I look into his eyes, and my brain connects the words to the look on his face. My heart stops, forgetting to flap its wing, and falls to the ground, landing with a loud THUMP. There’s been a change. Those words were supposed to be good. I’ve waited so long for a change ... I guess I wasn’t specific enough in my wish.
Adrienne at Labor Day party © 2001
Better Off Bald chronicles my sister Adrienne’s 147-day battle with liver cancer; the book also shows how I reared Adrienne from the time she was eight until she died at the age of fifteen. For more information about primary liver cancer, go to Blue Faery: The Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer Association.
09/03/17 • 25 min
Better Off Bald: Episode 40 — After Adrienne
Better Off Bald
10/17/17 • 10 min
As for me, time moved forward, but I couldn’t move on. Part of me died with Adrienne, leaving a void so vast that nothing will ever be able to fill it. For years, I tried to relieve my grief.
View of the Hollywood Sign from Adrienne’s grave at Hollywood Forever Cemetery
In 2002, I found this sketch of the Hollywood Sign drawn by Adrienne. She titled it, “Future.”
Better Off Bald chronicles my sister Adrienne’s 147-day battle with liver cancer; the book also shows how I reared Adrienne from the time she was eight until she died at the age of fifteen. For more information about primary liver cancer, go to Blue Faery: The Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer Association.
10/17/17 • 10 min
Show more
Show more
FAQ
How many episodes does Better Off Bald have?
Better Off Bald currently has 40 episodes available.
What topics does Better Off Bald cover?
The podcast is about Health & Fitness, Society & Culture, Personal Journals, Medicine and Podcasts.
What is the most popular episode on Better Off Bald?
The episode title 'Better Off Bald: Episode 39 — Days 1 – 7 — Without Adrienne' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Better Off Bald?
The average episode length on Better Off Bald is 25 minutes.
How often are episodes of Better Off Bald released?
Episodes of Better Off Bald are typically released every 4 days.
When was the first episode of Better Off Bald?
The first episode of Better Off Bald was released on May 15, 2017.
Show more FAQ
Show more FAQ
Comments
0.0
out of 5
No ratings yet