Louise Thompson has revealed how she has had a ‘lifesaving’ stoma bag fitted after years of suffering from ulcerative colitis following a diagnosis in 2018.
The former Made In Chelsea, star, 34, shared the news with her Instagram followers on Tuesday, as she bravely admitted it is ‘not something she wanted to hide forever’.
Louise has previously spoken about her ongoing struggles with the bowel condition ulcerative colitis as well as the autoimmune disease lupus.
Earlier this year she spent two weeks in hospital after suffering a ulcerative colitis flare up during a holiday with her fiance Ryan Libbey and their little boy Leo, two.
The fitness influencer almost died during the birth of her son Leo in 2021 and was left with post traumatic stress disorder.
Louise Thompson has revealed how she has had a stoma bag fitted after years of suffering from ulcerative colitis, as she says it ‘may well have saved her life’
The former Made In Chelsea, star, 34, shared the news with her Instagram followers on Tuesday, bravely admitting it is ‘not something she wanted to hide’
Earlier this year she spent two weeks in hospital after suffering a ulcerative colitis flare up during a holiday with her fiance Ryan Libbey and their little boy Leo, two (pictured at the time)
Louise shared a video of herself showing the bag, which is attached to her stomach, and wrote: HOW DO I DISCLOSE THIS SORT OF NEWS?
‘It’s not exactly exciting like a big pregnancy or gender reveal announcement! Hey look i’m having a boy… Hey look i’ve got a stoma!
‘So I guess i’ll just stand here. Proud in stature. With my new friend. Le bum bag, that represents life. And hopefully a better one.
‘Isn’t it bizarre that this little grey pouch is the price I pay for good health! I say good riddance to that nasty menacing colon!
Louise urged people to support her choice to share her news online, and added: ‘Please be kind.’
In the clip, Louise lifted her top to reveal the pouch and told her fans she was ‘introducing the bag that may well have saved her life’.
She added: ‘Not exactly a glamorous announcement but not something I want to keep hidden forever.’
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic bowel condition where the colon and rectum become inflamed and small ulcers develop on the colon’s lining, which can bleed. The condition has no cure, but can be effectively managed with time.
In February, Louise revealed she was forced to rush home from Antigua after ‘losing cupfuls of blood every 20 minutes’ during a bad flare up.
In February, Louise revealed she was forced to rush home from Antigua after ‘losing cupfuls of blood every 20 minutes’ during a bad flare up (pictured in Antigua)
Louise shed some light on her terrifying situation, adding that was ‘alive and in good care’, after her partner Ryan confirmed she was in hospital.
Sharing a photo from her hospital bed, she explained: ‘Bit of an unexpected turn of events, but gotta bridge the gap somewhere, so let’s start with some good news – I’m home after two and a bit weeks spent in hospital and I’m feeling very grateful for home and for life.
‘A quick blast recap as my brain is too tangled for full sentences, but hoping this might save some time in the long run…’
In the lengthy post she continued: ‘Flew to the other side of the world (Antigua). Survived. Just. Plastered myself in makeup. Rode the wave of steroid highs – if you know, you know… these are potent drugs.
‘Used up every iota of energy I could pretending I was going to be ok . But deep down inside I knew I was really sick I wanted the best for Leo and my family and memories
‘Holiday had been in the pipeline for yonks 2024 was ma YEAR… Had many exciting campaigns lined up and the announcement of one of the biggest and most transformative healing (and career) moments of my life: the announcement of my book, and other positive things to cling onto mentally.
‘I also thought that having clawed out of the mental health hell hole i’d been through that nothing could bring me down. Nothing would compare to that… right?
‘Mental is worse than physical. No physical worse surely. Both are agony and can leave you powerless. Difficult to have one without the other. They’re intrinsically linked.
‘Anyway, I thought I could handle anything. How shortsighted . My resilience had skyrocketed. And i’d become de-sensitised .
‘Most people would be in A&E day 1 with my symptoms, I have no qualms in saying that because I know what my symptoms were and they were not ok, I’ll spare you some of the grittier details, but I became a little ‘too used’ to my chronic condition .
‘Whilst away I fell asleep lots randomly in the car and in the middle of the day and on the beach. Couldn’t really walk or pick up Leo . Poor Ryan had to compensate.’
Louise continued: ‘Was disorientated a lot. Pushed through. Thought my body would hold up. Revelled in bed when Leo would sleep at 7pm . Survived to make it through to see another day. That’s what it felt like anyway.
‘But the fear kept escalating when I was going to the loo every 20 minutes losing cup fulls of blood.
‘My body was ‘surviving’, ‘masking’ and ‘compensating’ but probably only because I’m young and I’ve got a good ticker. Bit of a miracle really
‘Raised alarm bells to my family. Especially given other things I’d been through.
‘I couldn’t cope anymore. Nothing was getting better on its own. Way beyond the point of self healing, wellness, eating right bla bla bla .
‘Too much inflammation. Things felt a bit dangerous I couldn’t risk deteriorating further in a foreign country with a lack of adequate health care and without my notes. I panicked. So we booked an early flight back to UK
‘Made it… struggled on the way back but a small price to pay for making it home Went straight to A&E. Bloods taken. Admitted. Things got worse quite quickly. Thank goodness for safety. Thanks goodness for the NHS
‘Fast forward… I am alive and in good care. I have experienced some of the best care I have ever received, especially in ITU. I have cried over how compassionate and good the care has been. I will have quite some thanking to do. Lots of letters. Lots of things I can hopefully help with in the future. I’m nowhere near that place yet though. Let’s walk first. ’
‘There have been several ups and downs and some scary stuff in-between. Cos hospital IS JUST scary when you’re lying on that side of the curtain
‘Being put to sleep is scary. Central and arterial lines are scary. Bags and balloons and drains coming out of your body are scary. Gosh I have huge respect for medical staff.
‘The fear creeping in… It’s only really until you’ve spent some decent time here under what feels like emergency circumstances that I would expect you to get the fear.
‘PTSD doesn’t help. Further worsened by the feeling that things aren’t moving in a ‘linear direction’. WHAT IS GOING ON WITH MY BLOOMING BODY!!! Why do I keep forgetting my questions. Why are things getting worse before they get better? The fear of the unknown is arguably the worst part of recovery. The waiting. Especially when coupled with 10/10 pain.
‘But I’m not allowing myself to slip back. I am a STRONG COOKIE and I am working hard on a speedy recovery.
‘And there will be a silver lining. I promise I’m already searching for it. Already found a few nuggets.
‘A nice little reminder that health is everything. It must always come first first first. Along with my family and my son.
She concluded: ‘I want to continue with life ‘as normal’ as much as possible as much as possible as I think that staying connected and grounded and present is really good for my head. And I still maintain that 2024 is going to be the best yet!’
