Andrea Wilson Woods became a parent to her little sister before she had finished figuring out her own twenties.
At 22, Andrea took custody of eight-year-old Adrienne. She joins Jay to talk about the years they shared, Adrienne's diagnosis with stage 4 liver cancer, and losing her at 15. Her memoir, Better Off Bald: A Life in 147 Days, preserves both the cancer journey and the person her sister was.
Andrea describes trying to understand medical information while caring for someone she loved, then building Blue Faery in Adrienne's memory. The conversation explores grief, caregiving, accessible patient education, and the work of helping families find their voice in a complicated healthcare system.
What We Explore
* Becoming a guardian to her younger sister at 22
* Adrienne's life before and during her cancer diagnosis
* The story behind Better Off Bald
* Translating difficult medical information into plain language
* Founding Blue Faery in Adrienne's memory
* Patient advocacy, grief, and continuing a loved one's legacy
About Andrea Wilson Woods
Andrea Wilson Woods is an author, speaker, patient advocate, and founder of Blue Faery: The Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer Association.
Andrea: https://www.bluefaery.org/
Content note: Discussion of cancer, caregiving, and the death of a child.
The Tragedy Academy
Candid conversations exploring the human experience through tragedy and triumph.
Hosted by Jay Hicks.
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