Welcome to the Sh*t Show: A Memoir of Colorectal Cancer and the Power of Self-Advocacy

A clear-eyed account of one woman's fight to survive late-stage colorectal cancer

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 and given a 40 percent chance of being alive in five years. Shannon discovered that she was part of a trend of younger people and more women receiving the diagnosis: By 2030, colorectal cancer is projected to be the No. 1 cancer killer for people ages 20 to 49. Shannon had entered a terrifying new reality, navigating a medical system ill-equipped to recognize her unique circumstances.

In Welcome to the Sh*t Show, Shannon delivers a frank account of her battle with cancer. She chronicles her journey from diagnosis through grueling treatment and arriving at her "new normal." Throughout, she shares candid insights into the physical and emotional toll of treatment, social expectations, systemic barriers and inequities, and grappling with structural and internalized ableism. In the face of these obstacles, Shannon learned to advocate for her needs and built partnerships with her care team and the friends who remained by her side.

Shannon's honesty, resilient spirit, and biting humor transform a terrifying experience into a powerful message of hope, urging readers to fight for a meaningful and authentic life, no matter the odds.