Andrea Wilson Woods - 15 Oct

In Better Off Bald: A Life in 147 Days , Andrea Wilson Woods provides a beautifully written personal, powerful, and unvarnished rendering of the story of her sister Adriennes diagnosis of advanced liver cancer at age fifteen and their lives together during the subsequent months of Adriennes life. Primary liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) is considered to be uniformly fatal, insidious in its development, aggressive in its progression, and typically resistant to conventional therapeutic interventions. Adriennes story might be viewed as characteristic for this disease, at least from a clinical perspectiveshe was diagnosed, treated, and eventually succumbed. However, Adrienne was an exceptional young woman, strong in her resolve, who refused to stop living her life despite a relentless disease and an extremely poor prognosis. Adriennes story is one that we all need to hear. It shows the shock and fear that comes with a completely unexpected diagnosis, the frustration of navigating the medical world of hospitals, physicians, and tests, and the physical exhaustion that comes with aggressive treatment.

This memoir reminds us that there is an urgent need for the biomedical research community to redouble efforts towards a more complete elucidation of the pathogenesis of liver cancer and the development [of] new therapeutic approaches. Ultimately, this memoir is the story of two strong womenAndrea and Adrienne. Like so many cancer patient caregivers, Andrea was not merely a witness to Adriennes disease; she was a deeply committed, present, and caring participant in Adriennes life, before and after her cancer diagnosis. It is clear that the fierce, vivacious, remarkable young woman that Adrienne became reflects the character and strong example of her sister Andrea. I regret that I did not have the good fortune to meet Adrienne in life, but I am blessed to have read her story in the pages of this book, and will benefit from her example as I strive to live life fully and completely for the rest of my days.

William B. Coleman, PhD, executive officer American Society for Investigative Pathology

A family member of a patient with liver cancer reflected one day in clinic on the patients symptoms and her concerns. This family member is right. I dont. One can never understand the pains of a patient and loved ones going through hepatitis-related liver cancer. Andreas living and sharing with us her sisters illness and their agony are a teaching lesson for all of us. It is a wake-up call for us to value what we have, and not to meddle with drugs. And if one is to have cancer, weve got to keep hope. I always said to Andrea, who serves as one of the patient advocates of the National Cancer Institute Liver and Bile Ducts Cancers that I chair: Through your work and dedication, Adrienne never died. And now Andrea, through your book, Adrienne is alive in all of us.

Ghassan Abou-Alfa, MD, MBA, professor of medicine Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Better Off Bald is a raw story about two sisters, one a teenager and the other barely an adult, facing cancer. Andrea Wilson Woods works hard to be the grown-up and a mother to her younger sister, Adrienne, when the diagnosis of cancer crashes down on them. Read this book to learn what goes on in the minds of patients fighting cancer. Ms. Wilson Woods holds nothing back and delivers a story that at times feels like you are on a roller coaster ride with these two sisters as they try to stay on track with life. Better Off Bald will jolt you emotionally and hopefully inspire all medical professionals to do a little better, and all patients to fight a little harder.

Nicholas Borys, MD, executive VP and chief medical officer of Celsion Corporation

Better Off Bald is the beautiful and painful true story of how the author lovingly shepherds her sister Adrienne through diagnosis and treatment of advanced liver cancer, striking at far too young an age. I wish for every doctor and medical trainee to read this book. Andrea Wilson Woodss words bring to vivid life both the devastationas well as moments of joythat flooded these sisters lives as they navigated the medical system, faced cancer, experienced suffering and courage, and held fast to each other.

Jesse Civan, MD, transplant hepatologist

Better Off Bald: A Life in 147 Days is a phenomenal depiction of the shock, horror, realities, and the humanity of a cancer diagnosis and battle. Andrea Wilson Woodss depiction of her sisters battle with liver cancer is both heart-wrenching and warming. As the mom of a stage IV brain cancer survivor, it was hard for me to read because it brought back so many of the emotions I experienced on our own journey. It was striking to see so many similarities, including moments of frustration, fear, love, and exquisite human tenderness. Andrea is as brave as her sister, Adrienne, for sharing their story with such honesty and for her tireless devotion to helping liver cancer patients. Grab a tissue

Heather Ambrose, director of Acute Care Field Medical and Patient Advocacy; BTG International, Inc.; mom of Gavin Ambrose, Stage IV Brain Cancer Survivor

This exceptional memoir presents a poignant, touching, heart-wrenching and heart-warming recounting of the authors experience caring for her younger sister Adrienne, who is tragically diagnosed with liver cancer at the age of fifteen. Andreas prose is clear, the story gripping, and the issues relevant for all who have or will experience the catastrophic illness of a loved one. Andreas story of her sister and her familys journey is one of courage and commitment, told with love and honesty. Adriennes story challenges and inspires us, but also highlights the major global health burden due to chronic viral hepatitiswhich now causes more deaths than tuberculosis, HIV, or malariaoften of young people in the prime of their lives, and is one of the unrecognized scourges of our time.

Andrea now commits a major proportion of her time in advocacy to prevent and improve treatments for viral hepatitis and liver cancer. I trust that this book will provide a realistic window into the life of a family battling one of the major health problems of our time, provide comfort and hope for those who face this unwanted intrusion in their lives, and encourage us all to support individuals, families, and communities facing the devastating effects of viral hepatitis and liver cancer. The book will hopefully motivate us to support affected persons, and also advocate for improvements in health policy that will lead to better screening for hepatitis and early-stage cancer and improved treatments to help eliminate these now completely preventable illnesses.

Lewis R. Roberts, MB ChB, PhD, professor of medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science

An awe-inspiring, bare-all account of sisters Andrea and Adrienne Wilsons five-month journey after Adrienne is diagnosed withand dies fromliver cancer at age fifteen. Intertwined throughout are anecdotes that explain Andreas obligatory parent role, the evolution of their supranormal sibling bond, and how this dual dynamic helped them navigate that journey. Despite the outcome, Adrienne beat liver cancer; Andrea tells us how her hero did just that.

Marty Sellers, MD, MPH, transplant surgeon and liver cancer specialist, Emory University

Andrea tells an extraordinary story of courage and persistence important for all patients with liver and other cancers to read. Her strength and hope continue in her perpetual fight against the disease as a tireless advocate for others facing the same devastating diagnosis.