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.
Latest episodes
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10 sec
Better Off Bald
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 reliev…
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41 sec
Better Off Bald
“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! Sh…
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26 sec
Better Off Bald
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…
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27 sec
Better Off Bald
“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 a…
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28 sec
Better Off Bald
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. S…
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22 sec
Better Off Bald
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…
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26 sec
Better Off Bald
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…
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25 sec
Better Off Bald
Adrienne’s career list 2000 – present: +Professor of religion +Zoologist +Forensic psychologist +Full-time artist—painter (gallery) or digital art +Webcam star +Fashion designer +C…
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24 sec
Better Off Bald
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 reasonabl…
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25 sec
Better Off Bald
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 t…
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19 sec
Better Off Bald
“Wow. It looks great. How bold,” he says as he gestures toward her head. “I love that you shaved your head. What made you decide to do it?” Adrienne looks the bus boy in the eye. “…
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28 sec
Better Off Bald
Today was honestly one of the best days of my life. I cannot describe in words how incredible of a person you are. I have never before met someone who was so wise, down to earth, i…
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20 sec
Better Off Bald
Still flushed with excitement, Adrienne greets him by exclaiming in a singsong voice. “DAVE Navarro KNOWS who I am! DAVE Navarro KNOWS who I am!” Not missing a beat, Dr. Fenn mimic…
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26 sec
Better Off Bald
Until I see a drop of water fall on the keyboard, I don’t even realize I am crying. I touch my face. it is soaked. As the printer churns out each page, each person who had stage IV…
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23 sec
Better Off Bald
I kinda brought this upon myself. A lot of stuff happened in my early youth, and I repressed it for years and I think that’s what caused it (cancer) for some reason. I just have a…
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22 sec
Better Off Bald
Who will go with me to the Topanga Canyon haunted house on Halloween? Who will stain the entire bathroom blue with hair dye? Who will argue with me I have seen that episode of Law…
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22 sec
Better Off Bald
When Adrienne exits her bedroom, I gasp. She appears … so ethereal with her blue Monarch butterfly wings and blue bobbed wig Marilyn bought for her. I’m looking at a blue fairy fro…
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21 sec
Better Off Bald
I picture us sitting in a car at an intersection in the middle of the night. The world feels empty like right after a storm ends. The darkness presses down on us, and we see only a…
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22 sec
Better Off Bald
Adrienne has the pleasure of meeting Nurse Bitchy before I do. I step out to use the restroom down the hall since parents are not allowed to use the one in the patient’s room. Duri…
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22 sec
Better Off Bald
Like the California wildfires, there are so many hot spots in Adrienne’s body right now; the doctors don’t know which one should be treated first. They are focused on what happened…