Sh*t Happens – Around the World in 80 Dumps a Day
Hilarious and heart-wrenching new book shares the challenges of pooing into a bag for life
Secondary School teacher J E Turley shines the spotlight on the struggles and comedic situations that hundreds of thousands of people who wear a stoma bag find themselves in every day of their lives
Tragic but hilarious true stories detailing the struggles of pooing into a bag for life. Sh*t Happens takes you loo to loo across the globe, flushing dirty toilet humour, failed romance, and life-threatening disease all down the same skid marked basin.
Featuring an entertaining cast of NHS heroes and fellow barmy patients, eleven tales recount the turbulent journey from seeking a diagnosis, to madness-inducing medication, before gut-wrenching surgeries.
The collection will both tickle and strike a chord with anyone, whether you know the hardship of mental and physical health battles or can simply recall regretting a late-night curry the next day.
The author says:
“There is no cure for Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, and they affect many hundreds of thousands of people in the UK, with relatively poor understanding in society and low levels of cure research funding.”
Receiving five-star reviews, readers say:
“Absolutely brilliant and an essential publication” – Tracey Warr, Author of the Conquest trilogy
“Read this through in one go. Jack is so honest, brave and funny in recounting his journey. I laughed and cried throughout. Well worth reading.” – Eileen Butterworth
“Heart-breaking and heart-warming in equal measure. A very honest, emotional, yet amusing insight into Jack’s battle with a life-changing illness. Some of the anecdotes will leave you speechless!” – Jack Heslop
“To anyone wanting a speedy read that will have you laughing out loud but also reflecting on your interactions with friends & strangers throughout – Sh*t Happens is a brilliant reminder to consider the mental health side effects of the physical illnesses we throw pills & prescriptions at every day. So much respect for describing the behind closed doors struggles of anyone managing an invisible health condition day after day – would definitely add to your reading lists.” – Emily Palmer, NHS
“A truly honest and laugh out loud journey with Jack. It’s a really influential book in a small package that’s short enough for an afternoon read but sticks in the memory. Well done and looking forward to reading more.” – James Wheeler, International Perito Prize judge
Published by Track Press Books, Sh*t Happens is available in paperback (£6.99) from the publisher here.
Jack (J E Turley) is a young science teacher and writer who poos into a permanent stoma bag. He wrote and narrated Sh*t Happens to raise awareness of Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis, to stay sane while doctors chopped his insides out, and because his mum told him to.
His short story ‘You Sh*t in a Bag’ was shortlisted for the International Perito Prize and published in their 2020 Anthology. Freelancing, he has words in The Focus News, Fen & Field, among others.
He loves hash browns.