This Fresh Air interview focuses on Sarah Wildman's experience as a parent whose daughter, Orly, died of terminal liver cancer at age 14. The interview details Orly's three-and-a-half-year battle with the disease, including her treatments and the family's emotional journey. Wildman discusses the challenges of communicating with her daughter about her illness and death, the differences in how medical professionals approach pediatric versus adult end-of-life care, and the unique aspects of Jewish mourning traditions for a child versus a parent. A poignant example is the interview clip of 12-year-old Orly discussing her experience with cancer and baldness. The interview highlights the complexities of grief, the importance of open communication, and the limitations of medical care in the face of terminal illness.
