About the Author

Matthew Koster is an Australian author, husband, father of four, living in Lake Macquarie, New South Wales.

 

Growing up in Bankstown, Sydney, Matthew began his working life as a chef before owning and operating restaurants in Gloucester, New South Wales, and Melbourne, Victoria. After leaving the hospitality industry, he built a successful business in property while continuing to pursue new ventures and investments.

 

In 2023, Matthew's life took an unexpected turn when he started bleeding from his arse. It wasn't exactly the surprise he'd been hoping for. He was subsequently diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). His first specialist believed he had Crohn's disease, while a second diagnosed ulcerative colitis. After more than 15 years of chronic abdominal pain and repeatedly being told it was "probably IBS", he finally had an explanation for the symptoms that had affected him for so long.

 

Like many people facing a chronic illness for the first time, Matthew searched for practical, easy-to-understand information that explained not only the disease itself, but what everyday life with IBD was really like. While there were excellent medical resources available, he couldn't find a book that combined reliable information with humour, honesty, and the perspective of someone who had actually lived through it.

 

Unable to find the book he was looking for, Matthew decided to write it himself.

 

Drawing on his own experiences, conversations with healthcare professionals, and extensive research, Oh Shit: A Humorous Guide to Living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease was written to help people living with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis better understand their condition, feel less alone, and hopefully share a few laughs along the way.

 

Whether building businesses, raising a family, or learning to live with IBD, Matthew believes life rarely goes according to plan—and that's okay. The important thing is to keep learning, keep adapting, and keep moving forward.

 

When he's not writing, Matthew enjoys spending time with his family, travelling, and dreaming up his next project.

 

Matthew believes that while IBD may become part of your story, it never gets to write the ending.