Louise Thompson has been flooded with love and support after revealing she has had a stoma bag fitted following months of health issues.
The former Made In Chelsea star, 34, introduced "the grey bag that may well save my life" to her Instagram followers on Tuesday morning, telling fans: "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, who has suffered multiple medical complications since becoming a mother for the first time in 2021, shared a video of herself showing the bag, which was attached to her stomach, and captioned the clip: "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!"
Louise Thompson unveiled her stoma bag via a video shared on social media (Instagram/louise.thompson)
The Made In Chelsea star was thanked by many fans for positing the candid health update (Instagram/louise.thompson)The mum-of-one, who was hospitalised earlier this year, concluded her caption with: "I say good riddance to that nasty menacing colon! Please be kind. [white love heart emoji] #ibd #ibdawareness #ibdwarrior #stoma #stomalife #autoimmunedisease." Louise's fans were quick to thank the star for using her platform to normalise stoma bags.
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"This is a very brave post & one which will empower a lot of other people living with a stoma," one Instagram user began as they commented underneath Louise's post. "My 1 year old daughter had to get a stoma and we soon realised, even at that age, there was a lot of stigma surrounding one. She would have loved to have seen a post like this."
Another fan added: "I’m so in awe of your honesty, please look after yourself. I know this lil grey bumbag is the start of a new journey, but you don’t owe anyone an explanation. You’re a mum and partner, daughter sister friend. I know all anyone wants for you is health and recovery. I’m proud of you for sticking you your advocacy in the hospital and making sure you had the correct treatment. Wishing you strength on your new health journey."
Zara McDermott, who is dating Louise's brother Sam Thompson, told her future sister-in-law: "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."
Louise has faced several health challenges since welcoming son Leo-Hunter into the world with fiance Ryan Libbey at the end of 2021. The 34-year-old mum nearly lost her life during childbirth and was subsequently diagnosed with PTSD, lupus, and other conditions stemming from the harrowing experience.
The star and Ryan were ecstatic to welcome their first "little miracle baby" in November 2021, but the birth was fraught with drama, leaving both mum and baby "dancing with death". Despite giving birth in November, Louise almost didn't make it home for Christmas due to serious complications.
The reality TV alum found herself wheelchair-bound and spent a month in hospital recovering. She kept her new arrival under wraps for five weeks before opening up about her ordeal to her followers. Doctors fought valiantly to save Louise's life - with the star later expressing her profound gratitude, saying she doubts she'd be here today without the NHS. Just two days before Christmas 2021, Louise took to Instagram to reveal the birth of her son.
Since becoming a mother, Louise has been in and out of hospital and battled numerous health crises - the most recent at the start of this year. Writing on Instagram in February, days on from being discharged from hospital, Louise opened up about how her poor physical health was also impacting her mental wellbeing.
Louise, whose hospitalisation was first revealed by her fiance the week before her post in February, recounted to her Instagram audience how she fell sick while trying to create lasting memories with her son on their family holiday abroad, pushing aside her symptoms in hopes of starting the year positively.
The brave star detailed the alarming signs of her illness, including "losing cup fulls of blood" with frequent trips to the bathroom every 20 minutes while on vacation. Recognising the severity due to her previous health scares, Louise took an early flight back to the UK and headed straight for A&E.
While she chose to withhold "some of the grittier details" from her social media update, Louise admitted to becoming "desensitised" to the chronic pain she endures, acknowledging that most would have sought emergency care much sooner than she did under similar circumstances.
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