Austin BirksApr 25, 20215 minAttention: Emergency Code 2 in Freezer Aisle 23So, picture the scene: it's a lovely hot April evening and I am doing a spot of shopping in my usual supermarket. All is good. I've just...
Austin BirksFeb 26, 20214 minCancer: the best of times and the worst of timesThere is a classic line in literature that says: it was the best of times and it was the worst of times. Yes, you get points if you know...
Austin BirksFeb 24, 20211 minLiving with a stoma bagI've had a stoma since September 2018, when I was unexpectedly diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer and had to undergo emergency surgery....
Austin BirksMar 17, 20201 minAustin's Story - Inspiration in the Face of AdversityThis is the full video of the talk I gave on the 20th February 2020, telling my story with bowel cancer since 2018, living with a stoma,...
Austin BirksMar 14, 20201 minAustin's Story, Coming to Cinemas Near You SoonAhead of the full presentation that I gave at the University College Birmingham, EV Productions have compiled this cheeky little taster...
Austin BirksJan 17, 20204 minSainsbury’s Stoma Surprise... Water Closet!I have to say that as a stoma bag user on a daily basis... Mind you, it’s not like you can take a day off, or just go back to the good...
Austin BirksDec 5, 20191 minAustin's Week - 05 December 2019: A New Chemo RegimeI've had an eventful week. After having a portacath fitted, I started my new chemo regime of Cetuximab and FOLFIRI. The side effects have...
Austin BirksNov 20, 20193 minA Bag Is For Life Not Just For ChristmasWhen I was in hospital recovering from the life-saving surgery that saved my life, when a tumor the size of the surgeon's fist was...
Austin BirksNov 15, 20193 minRiders on the Stom...aNot only a classic tune from The Doors in the sixties, but I thought a fitting title for my next stoma bag related ramblings. Living with...
Austin BirksNov 13, 20192 minIt's a Stoma in a TeacupOne of the great ironies, and at the same time, benefits of owning a stoma bag, is the sense of liberation that you acquire after you...
Austin BirksNov 6, 20194 minAny Port In A Storm...aOne of the rather strange consequences of having level 4a stage bowel cancer, is that depending on your severity, sadly sometimes it...