Made In Chelsea’s Louise Thompson reveals stoma bag for the first time
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![Louse Thompson unveils stoma bag on Instagram](/thumb/phpThumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fmetro.co.uk%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F04%2FSEC_199137876-bf21.jpg%3Fquality%3D90%26strip%3Dall%26zoom%3D1%26resize%3D644%252C338&w=728&hash=3c859e2e8eee5a014da9c91493fb0fa1)
Made in Chelsea’s Louise Thompson has revealed she has a stoma bag, taking to Instagram with a video announcement.
The 34-year-old fitness influencer has endured an excruciating health battle over the last few years, documenting her various hospital visits on social media.
Now she has introduced the ‘grey bag’ that ‘may well have saved [her] life,’ saying she’s ‘proud’ to unveil it to followers.
Writing on a video of her looking gorgeous in a grey ruffled top, Louise showed followers her stoma bag underneath her jeans and said: ‘Not exactly a glamorous announcement but not something I want to keep hidden forever.’
In the caption, she wrote a poem describing her journey, as she began: ‘HOW DO I DISCLOSE THIS SORT OF NEWS?’
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‘It’s not exactly exciting like a big pregnancy or gender reveal announcement!’ she added, quipping: ‘Hey look i’m having a boy… Hey look i’ve got a stoma!’
She then wrote: ‘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.’
Louise explained: ‘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!’
She then signed off: ‘Please be kind. ????’
Fellow TV stars, friends and fans flocked to support Louise.
Zara McDermott sent a message to her sister-in-law to be, and wrote: ‘When you think about it, it’s a beautiful thing because it means less time in hospital, less time in pain, less time with a poison organ in your body! Now you are free my girl. Now it’s time for YOU xx.’
Fellow former Made in Chelsea star Rosie Fortescue wrote: ‘So proud of you tiny one.’
Since nearly dying while giving birth to her and partner Ryan Libbey’s son Leo three years ago, the reality star has been battling a number of physical and mental health issues, which she has been admirably open about on social media.
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The star – who went ‘partially deaf’ during her ordeal – suffered post-traumatic stress disorder and post-natal anxiety, and in 2022 confessed she would cry up to 20 times a week.
Later that year, the former reality TV star revealed she’d been been diagnosed with lupus – a long term condition affecting the immune system that causes joint pain, skin rashes, and tiredness.
Before she got pregnant, Louise was also diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, which is inflammation of the lower end of your digestive system, including your large bowel and rectum.
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Read More StoriesA stoma is an opening on the abdomen that can be connected to either your digestive or urinary system to allow waste (urine or faeces) to be diverted out of your body.
There are many reasons why you may need a stoma. Common reasons include bowel cancer, bladder cancer, inflammatory bowel disease – such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis – diverticulitis or an obstruction to the bladder or bowel.
A stoma can be temporary or permanent depending on the cause.
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Louise has now written a book about her experiences called Lucky: Learning to Live Again.
The star’s stoma bag announcement comes after Louise was discharged from a 17-day hospital visit earlier this year when her health rapidly declined on a family holiday to Antigua.
On Instagram, Louise recalled the moment she knew that medical help was required.
‘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,’ she explained.
‘The fear kept escalating when I was going to the loo every 20 minutes losing cups full of blood.
What is ulcerative colitis?
Ulcerative colitis is a long-term condition where the colon and rectum become inflamed.
The most popular theory is that the immune system mistakes harmless bacteria inside the colon as a threat and attacks the tissues of the colon, causing inflammation.
The colon is the large intestine (bowel) and the rectum is the end of the bowel where poo is stored.
Small ulcers can develop on the colon’s lining, and can bleed and produce pus.
Symptoms include recurring diarrhoea – which may contain blood, mucus or pus – stomach pain, and needing to poo frequently.
Other symptoms include extreme tiredness, loss of appetite and weight loss.
Some people may go for some time with very mild or no symptoms at all (remission), but this is followed by flare-ups and relapses, which can cause various other problems too.
During a flare-up of ulcerative colitis, people can also experience painful and swollen joints, mouth ulcers, bumps and patches under the skin, irritated or red eyes, and problems with bones.
Specific triggers for flare-ups are often unknown, although stress or a gut infection could be potential factors.
‘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.
‘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,’ she wrote in her caption alongside a picture of her in hospital.
When her health wasn’t improving on holiday, Louise informed her family: ‘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.’
Louise booked an early flight home to the UK and went straight to A&E, where she was admitted.
‘I am a STRONG COOKIE and I am working hard on a speedy recovery,’ Louise told her 1.4 million followers.
The brave star concluded: ‘I still maintain that 2024 is going to be the best yet!’
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