Louise Thompson has revealed that she has had a stoma bag fitted.
The reality star has admitted the procedure “saved her life” after years of suffering from ulcerative colitis following a diagnosis in 2018.
She took to Instagram to share the news with her followers and she bravely said it is “not something she wanted to hide forever.”
The 34-year-old opened up in the caption: “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!”
Signing off the post she urged people to “please be kind”.
The former Made In Chelsea star was admitted to hospital for two weeks in January, following a series of issues she has faced since giving birth to her son Leo.
She gave birth to her and her fiancé Ryan Libbey’s son on November 15, 2021, and has struggled with her mental health after she nearly died giving birth.
The mother-of-one took to Instagram to give her fans an update, sharing a photo from her hospital bed.
Louise 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…”
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.”
“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.”
She added: “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.”
“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.”
“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!”
