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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 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 Shit 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.
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 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 Shit 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.
224 pages, Hardcover
Published February 24, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 27, 2025
A story that, however sad, ends well for now, and above all, the author manages to convey it with a certain lightness and a good dose of irony. Among the many important things I have learned, I believe the main one is what people who inform us that they have cancer expect to hear (and above all, not to hear).
Una storia che per quanto triste, per ora finisce bene e soprattutto l'autrice riesce a rendere con una certa levitá ed una buona dose di ironia. Tra le tante cose importanti che ho imparato, credo che la principale sia stata quello che si aspettano di sentire (e soprattutto di non sentire) le persone che ci informano di avere un tumore.
I received form the Publisher a digital advanced review copy in exchange for a honest review.
Una storia che per quanto triste, per ora finisce bene e soprattutto l'autrice riesce a rendere con una certa levitá ed una buona dose di ironia. Tra le tante cose importanti che ho imparato, credo che la principale sia stata quello che si aspettano di sentire (e soprattutto di non sentire) le persone che ci informano di avere un tumore.
I received form the Publisher a digital advanced review copy in exchange for a honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
“The Self-Help Memoir”
Where was this book in 1980? This not just an ordinary memoir. It a textbook on self-advocacy. Welcome to the Sh*t Show by Shannon Ivey is a must read for everyone.
Ivey shares a typical story going through disability or illness. You start with shock, then grief, then determination wrapped up in celebration. Welcome to the Sh*t Show navigates this maze in a way that you will learn not just about her journey but your own. I first met Shannon Ivey through an author event in 2025. Her writing is just as dynamic as she is as a person. Just from meeting her, I put this memoir on my to be read list. I love that her memoir is warm and dynamic.
I love stories of self-growth through advocacy. Being disabled since birth, I read Welcome through the lens. I related to being the patient. I related to being the support person. I felt isolated within the group at times. For me, the story allowed me to appreciate what my family went through. I could step in their shoes. I noticed the layers of support I overlooked in my life. Welcome put names to things that I had observed. It validated feelings I had growing up. For many years, I have tried to protect those around me from the negative around my disability. I appreciate this memoir for opening my eyes. I will no longer act to protect.
Shannon's writing provided comfort as I experienced the loss of a classmate from the same cancer. Their stories could have paralleled each other just with a different ending. Just the first two chapters opened my eyes to the nature of support I could offer my classmate and our class. Perfect timing for this book.
I can not recommend Welcome to the Sh*t Show more. It will finish 2026 in my top ten releases. If you are a crier, you will need a towel. You will cry tears of sadness and joy. The waves that I crested were worth it. I encourage you to get a copy. It is one of the best current memoirs in the disability community. It is a training guide for self-advocacy.
I was provided a copy of Welcome to the Sh*t Show by the University of South Carolina Press in exchange for this review.
Where was this book in 1980? This not just an ordinary memoir. It a textbook on self-advocacy. Welcome to the Sh*t Show by Shannon Ivey is a must read for everyone.
Ivey shares a typical story going through disability or illness. You start with shock, then grief, then determination wrapped up in celebration. Welcome to the Sh*t Show navigates this maze in a way that you will learn not just about her journey but your own. I first met Shannon Ivey through an author event in 2025. Her writing is just as dynamic as she is as a person. Just from meeting her, I put this memoir on my to be read list. I love that her memoir is warm and dynamic.
I love stories of self-growth through advocacy. Being disabled since birth, I read Welcome through the lens. I related to being the patient. I related to being the support person. I felt isolated within the group at times. For me, the story allowed me to appreciate what my family went through. I could step in their shoes. I noticed the layers of support I overlooked in my life. Welcome put names to things that I had observed. It validated feelings I had growing up. For many years, I have tried to protect those around me from the negative around my disability. I appreciate this memoir for opening my eyes. I will no longer act to protect.
Shannon's writing provided comfort as I experienced the loss of a classmate from the same cancer. Their stories could have paralleled each other just with a different ending. Just the first two chapters opened my eyes to the nature of support I could offer my classmate and our class. Perfect timing for this book.
I can not recommend Welcome to the Sh*t Show more. It will finish 2026 in my top ten releases. If you are a crier, you will need a towel. You will cry tears of sadness and joy. The waves that I crested were worth it. I encourage you to get a copy. It is one of the best current memoirs in the disability community. It is a training guide for self-advocacy.
I was provided a copy of Welcome to the Sh*t Show by the University of South Carolina Press in exchange for this review.
February 26, 2026
I vividly remember when Shannon was first diagnosed with colorectal cancer. The questions. The overwhelm. The late-night research spirals. The forums - holy crap, so. many. forums.
There’s a TON of information available to patients - but very little that actually helps the freshly-diagnosed gain any sense of direction.
This book is a compass.
Welcome to the Sh*t Show bridges the gap between medical information and real-life decision-making in a way that feels steady. Shannon writes as someone who has lived this experience, but she also brings the structure of a seasoned educator and the insight of a master-level coach. The result is a book that feels both rigorous and deeply human.
This book does a fantastic job explaining, in detail, how to advocate for yourself during diagnosis, testing, treatment so that you have details you need and the agency you deserve.
It also speaks directly to friends and family who want to help but don’t know how - and even to medical professionals who want to meet patients where they actually are.
This is the book she wanted and couldn't find back when she was first diagnosed, and she wrote it so that no one else would have to go through what she did in the same way.
Shannon Ivey is a terrific storyteller, and hilarious, so this book is funny and full of great stories - she just can't help herself. But underneath the wit and the stories you can feel the pain and confusion the author went through during her own diagnosis and treatments, and how hard she had to work to find the information she really wanted to have for herself.
This book is a gift for anyone facing this awful diagnosis, and anyone who cares about them.
There’s a TON of information available to patients - but very little that actually helps the freshly-diagnosed gain any sense of direction.
This book is a compass.
Welcome to the Sh*t Show bridges the gap between medical information and real-life decision-making in a way that feels steady. Shannon writes as someone who has lived this experience, but she also brings the structure of a seasoned educator and the insight of a master-level coach. The result is a book that feels both rigorous and deeply human.
This book does a fantastic job explaining, in detail, how to advocate for yourself during diagnosis, testing, treatment so that you have details you need and the agency you deserve.
It also speaks directly to friends and family who want to help but don’t know how - and even to medical professionals who want to meet patients where they actually are.
This is the book she wanted and couldn't find back when she was first diagnosed, and she wrote it so that no one else would have to go through what she did in the same way.
Shannon Ivey is a terrific storyteller, and hilarious, so this book is funny and full of great stories - she just can't help herself. But underneath the wit and the stories you can feel the pain and confusion the author went through during her own diagnosis and treatments, and how hard she had to work to find the information she really wanted to have for herself.
This book is a gift for anyone facing this awful diagnosis, and anyone who cares about them.
August 21, 2026
I loved this book because I learned a great deal about the different ways people handle a health crisis: how best intentions may harm others. How centering ourselves in someone else’s journey is harmful to them. It simply opened my mind a bit more to how people are different. It’s so well written, insightful and funny. It’s such a terrific read. The backdrop is colon cancer but the lessons reach far and wide! Cannot recommend this enough.
March 9, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this memoir about navigating life socially and medically after a scary diagnosis. I really appreciated the voice for self advocacy she was able to find through her experience and the truthful responses of people in her circle, good and bad. Humorous and held my attention! Five stars.
May 14, 2026
Welcome to the Shit Show by Shannon Ivey is one of the most honest and compelling books I’ve read about cancer and its aftermath. What made it especially meaningful was how closely our timelines parallel each other. Shannon was nearing the end of treatment when I was first diagnosed, yet our experiences unfolded in very different ways.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its willingness to explore the reality of medical trauma without sugarcoating it. Reading her story offered a perspective I hadn’t experienced before and reminded me that no two cancer journeys are the same. While our paths were different, many of the emotions felt familiar. The book is raw, insightful, and deeply human. For anyone who has faced a serious illness, cared for someone who has, or simply wants to better understand the lasting impact of trauma, this is a powerful read.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its willingness to explore the reality of medical trauma without sugarcoating it. Reading her story offered a perspective I hadn’t experienced before and reminded me that no two cancer journeys are the same. While our paths were different, many of the emotions felt familiar. The book is raw, insightful, and deeply human. For anyone who has faced a serious illness, cared for someone who has, or simply wants to better understand the lasting impact of trauma, this is a powerful read.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews