“Better Off Bald is a brutal reading that will move the reader to tears. But even through all the hardship, the memoir is filled with quirky humor and hope as Adrienne’s personality and inner strength have her living each day to the fullest and still pursuing her dreams until the end, counting winnings in terms of good days and good hours and showing the unrelenting support of friends and even strangers.”

“Better off Bald is an extraordinary book by Andrea Wilson Woods describing the journey she took with her younger sister Adrienne, who was diagnosed with liver cancer. The book serves as a profound statement on how cancer affects both patients and caregivers.”

“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 Adrienne’s diagnosis of advanced liver cancer at age fifteen and their lives together during the subsequent months of Adrienne’s 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. Adrienne’s story might be viewed as characteristic for this disease, at least from a clinical perspective—she 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. Adrienne’s 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 women—Andrea and Adrienne. Like so many cancer patient caregivers, Andrea was not merely a witness to Adrienne’s disease; she was a deeply committed, present, and caring participant in Adrienne’s 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.”

“Andrea Wilson Woods, an advocate for cancer patients at the National Cancer Institute, introduced me to her book that described her sister’s short but brave life in battling liver cancer and the impact of her sister’s cancer on Andrea as a biological sister but a real life mother/guardian. At first I did not want to read this book as I am dealing with death and cancer of family member and close friends and colleagues myself. The stress and pain seem to be very stubborn and refuse to leave. Today is a sunny day and I decided to take a read of Andrea’s book. What she described, especially the shock, the refusal to believe, the nervousness, the confusion, the unpreparedness all resonate with my days in the hospitals and out. Time is perhaps the best medicine but can be a long medicine. I actually find reading this book calming to my mind. Thank you Andrea for writing this book, which must be difficult, and for serving as a cancer patient advocate. Your sister would be so proud of you. I am proud of you too.”

“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 Woods’ depiction of her sister’s 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 …”

“One can never understand the pains of a patient and loved ones going through hepatitis-related liver cancer. Andrea’s living and sharing with us her sister’s 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 if one is to have cancer, we’ve got to keep hope. I always said to Andrea, ‘Through your work and dedication, Adrienne never died.’ And now Andrea, through your book, Adrienne is alive in all of us.”

“Readers who have dealt with or are currently dealing with a loved one’s terminal illness can find a measure of comfort in the way Andrea Wilson Woods processes her grief. She avoids being trite, yet her honesty does not come off as harsh. As she did with parenting, she strikes a delicate balance with her words and manages to be both realistic and inspirational. Better off Bald is devastating and heartbreaking, inspiring and edifying. Most importantly, it’s real. It’s a beautifully written, insightful, page-turning book on how we connect as humans and why life – no matter how truncated – is worth living. I highly recommend this to all people who glide through life not considering the end, but also for those looking for hope as unrealistic as it may seem at times.”

“The [book] places a poignant emphasis on the importance of each fleeting moment. Adrienne’s voice is one of powerful, teenage defiance. This memoir/biography is deeply sad with inspirational flashes.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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 Woods’ words bring to vivid life both the devastation—as well as moments of joy—that flooded these sisters’ lives as they navigated the medical system, faced cancer, experienced suffering and courage, and held fast to each other.”

“Andrea Wilson Wood’s memoir of her sister is complex and emotional, raw and honest. Better Off Bald tells a captivating story that will have a long lasting impact on any reader.”

“Even though Better Off Bald has a somber ending—as some cancer stories inevitably do—there is a powerful message about both living and dying with dignity. For readers who are personally facing cancer—in themselves or a loved one—this book will surely serve as a tremendous resource, for both its technical aspects and the complex emotional picture it paints. For all other people, it is definitely still worth the read. Its lessons about living life to its fullest, cherishing loved ones, and not giving up are invaluable.”

“An incredible, wonderful, raw and true story of two sisters, one of whom is diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or liver cancer when she is a teenager and the other is an adult who is at the crossroads in her life and who is now acting as her mother, friend and guide. A tragic tearjerker that in the end leads to the death of the younger sister diagnosed with cancer. ”

“This was a beautiful and poignant story, one that had me on the verge of tears from the moment I started reading. Andrea and Adrienne had such a special connection that became even more solid as they spent more time together. Adrienne showed strength and determination that I don’t think many of us have. Her zest for life, her sassy yet endearing personality, and her simple needs made her a standout person. I truly believe that Andrea was able to learn so much from her 15-year-old sister who lived her life the way she wanted to and wasn’t apologetic about it. This is an emotional read, one that told me a brilliant story while making me feel like a part of it. Kudos to the author!”

“Better off Bald paints such a vivid picture of the complexity of cancer, and the real-life challenges of living in the moment and how people think and react to every changing scope of their new reality. The author captures the reader’s heart and attention with clarity and grit. There is so much in Adrienne and Andrea’s story that makes you wish you had known them in person and feel like you already do.”

“Most stories about cancer focus on survival and handling the rigors of physical challenges. Better Off Bald considers different facets, from how closeness develops and changes between these sisters to how a young person chooses to live her final days of life. The story offers many specifics not just about relationships between sisters, but encounters with the medical community and treatment choices and their effects, from changing roles between the sisters to struggles with pain management and medical decision-making. Better Off Bald is a story that is thoroughly engrossing and fulfills one of its many purposes: to help readers know a feisty teen who discovered new life while facing its end, moving from being a suicidal, depressed teen to one who figures out how to inject new life into her world and those around her. It’s at once sad and inspirational — a story that will linger in the mind long after its conclusion.”

“I was hooked from the first page, immersing myself into what is without a doubt one of the most honest, real, memorable, and thought-provoking memoirs I have ever encountered, truly a book that I could not put down. This raw, frank manner of diarizing a sister’s cancer journey through a caregiver and parental figure’s eyes is a welcome, unforgettable and honest portrayal that I would not hesitate to highly recommend for inclusion in any cancer centre, library, and patient/caregiver bookshelf.”

“I just finished the book [Better Off Bald]. The author Andrea is the bravest person I know. Her book needs to be read by every healthcare professional. 💗 I’m not going to lie, it was very difficult to read, but at the same time I couldn’t put it down. I read the book in three days. Andrea is a gifted writer. She had me hooked. I was up all night, sobbing and all.”

“Better Off Bald is a realistic memoir about being a caretaker for a loved one with cancer, one that reveals all of the vulnerability that was hidden for the patient’s sake.”

“An awe-inspiring, bare-all account of sisters Andrea and Adrienne Wilson’s five-month journey after Adrienne is diagnosed with—and dies from—liver cancer at age fifteen. Intertwined throughout are anecdotes that explain Andrea’s 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.”

“This exceptional memoir presents a poignant, touching, heart-wrenching and heart-warming recounting of the author’s experience caring for her younger sister Adrienne, who is tragically diagnosed with liver cancer at the age of fifteen. Andrea’s prose is clear, the story gripping, and the issues relevant for all who have or will experience the catastrophic illness of a loved one. Andrea’s story of her sister and her family’s journey is one of courage and commitment, told with love and honesty. Adrienne’s story challenges and inspires us, but also highlights the major global health burden due to chronic viral hepatitis—which now causes more deaths than tuberculosis, HIV, or malaria—often 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.”

“The hero of this story—15-year-old Adrienne Wilson—shows incredible strength and courage as she faces a diagnosis of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with her older sister and guardian Andrea by her side.”