For colorectal cancer patients, the people who love them, and the professionals who care for them, a clear-eyed account of one woman's fight to survive

As a single working parent, the last thing on Shannon Ivey's mind in 2016 was her own health. Then she was diagnosed with late-stage III colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is now the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, and Shannon discovered that she was part of a trend of younger people receiving the diagnosis.

In Welcome to the Sh*t Show, Shannon delivers a frank account of her journey from diagnosis through grueling treatment and arriving at her "new normal." She shares candid insights into the physical and emotional toll of treatment, social expectations, systemic inequities, and grappling with structural and internalized ableism. Her compelling memoir is a testament to the necessity of self-advocacy. Shannon's honesty, resilient spirit, and biting humor transform a terrifying experience into a powerful message of hope, urging readers to fight for a life worth living, no matter what the odds.

Shannon Ivey is an International Coaching Federation–certified professional coach, actor/director, TedX speaker, and creative rabble rouser. She is the founder of the award-winning story lab and podcast #whatshesaidproject. Shannon has served as an empowered patient leader in Colontown, the leading online support group for people with colorectal cancer. She lives in Columbia, South Carolina, with one dog and one chicken, and is the proud mother to a brilliant teenager.

"When I was diagnosed with blood cancer, Shannon Ivey was one of the first people I turned to for solace and wisdom. Shannon's authenticity and fierce self-advocacy are an inspiring model for anyone navigating hard times."—Katherine Burke, director, Program in Medical Humanities, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine

"Welcome to the Sh*t Show is a both humorous and heroic. Ivey's example of self-advocacy, mental toughness and her sense of humor make this an excellent read for anyone facing a cancer diagnosis."—Dr. Sidney Morrison, colorectal surgeon at the Medical University of South Carolina

"Ivey writes in the spirit of Hemingway—'hard and clear about what hurts'— guiding us through the unvarnished realities of living with illness. With unflinching clarity, she dismantles the myth of full restoration after illness, revealing instead the complex, painful, and beautiful transformations that come with it."—Nicole Piemonte, Creighton University, author of Afflicted

"Ivey candidly shares her experience of survival with grit, insight, and humor. This thought-provoking book is a must-read that provides a riveting account of the author's resilient journey while facing the stark realities of life balanced by manifestations of self-love, hope, and healing."—Dr. Finie Hunter-Richardson, Howard University College of Medicine

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Welcome to the Sh*t Show

A Memoir of Colorectal Cancer and the Power of Self-Advocacy

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