Louise Thompson was in tears after she celebrated a major milestone following her recent health battle.
The former Made in Chelsea star took to Instagram to share the huge moment where she had her first photoshoot in years for her book cover.
In early April, the reality star revealed that she had a stoma bag fitted after years of suffering from ulcerative colitis following a diagnosis in 2018.
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The mum-of-one admitted she cried while writing the emotional message she posted alongside a video of the occasion.
She said in a Instagram Story: “I actually cried writing and re-reading the caption for that video because I can’t believe how far I’ve bloody come. F*** it’s been a journey.”
The 34-year-old wrote when sharing the video to her followers: “A big moment for me. As book publication day looms I wanted to share the first photoshoot I managed to do in almost 4 years… what a beautiful way to ease myself back into things.”
“It was such an honor to shoot with the incredible Pal Hansen for the cover of my book and to appear alongside a roster of other SERIOUSLY famous faces. Style is subjective, but his ability to capture an authentic portrait is second to none.”
She continued: “These images are particularly special to me because they represent a particularly sensitive moment in time.”
“I was still suffering. Still recovering. Just about finding my rhythm with work again. Occasionally having flashbacks and panic attacks. And I’d just started working with a new team. There was quite a lot of change going on PLUS I was now a motherAnd wearing new battle wounds.”
“In a way it signified the end of one chapter and the beginning of a new one. One where I was able to function as me again. But a new me. A me with a new perspective.”
Louise confessed: “My favourite part of the day was shooting in very low light using an incredibly slow shutter speed, requiring me to stay immensely still for a prolonged period (5 seconds felt like 5 minutes).”
“It was a test for someone like me who not only fills silences because I find them awkward but also tends to twitch like crazy. It paid off and I think I found myself in a deep meditative state where I was utterly comfortable and calm. ”
“The old Louise would probably have thought I looked ugly and wrinkly and far too imperfect in the final image we chose for the book,” she admitted.
“The new me has found peace with looking asymmetric and wonderfully imperfect with lots of smile likes (and lines from crying) because I am a whole human!!”
“I have lived through and overcome a lot. I have certainly earned those deep lines. I think I’m crying as I write this,” she added.
Last month, Louise took to Instagram to share with her followers that she now has a stoma bag, and 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.”
Louise’s book, Lucky: Learning to Live Again, is set to be released on May 23rd.
