How brave Louise Thompson's life has changed from her reality TV days: From a fun
For nearly a decade, Louise Thompson appeared on Made In Chelsea as the fun-loving party girl alongside famous faces Jamie Laing, Binky Felstead and Spencer Matthews.
But her life dramatically turned upside down after she suffered a near-death experience when she gave birth to her son Leo, two, who she shares with fiancé Ryan Libbey, in 2021.
Over the course of three years, Louise, 34, has since battled debilitating health conditions with the bowel condition ulcerative colitis as well as the autoimmune disease lupus.
This week, Louise bravely disclosed her latest battle, revealing she had to have a stoma bag fitted which 'saved her life'.
MailOnline takes a look at how the courageous star's life drastically changed overnight.
For nearly a decade, Louise Thompson, 34 appeared on Made In Chelsea as the fun-loving party girl alongside famous faces Jamie Laing, Binky Felstead and Spencer Matthews
But her life dramatically turned upside down after she suffered a near-death experience when she gave birth to her son Leo, two, who she shares with fiancé Ryan Libbey, in 2021
And on Tuesday Louise bravely disclosed her latest battle, revealing she had to have a stoma bag fitted which 'saved her life'
Her Made In Chelsea days
Louise first joined the hit reality TV show in 2011 and quit in 2019 after eight years, admitting the series often left her 'deflated'.
The reality star was embroiled in many rows with friends and boyfriends and enjoyed many nights out while on the show.
After she quit the show, Louise told the MailOnline: 'I love reality TV but with Made in Chelsea when I'm not in it I imagine it's this big thing but when I want back I actually felt deflated afterwards.
'I left because Sam and Ryan and I decided it just didn't suit us anymore and Sam went through a really rough time and we wanted a bit of a break.
'Then since leaving I have learnt a lot and have really enjoyed not being on the show. This series I did three setups and I don't actually know how I feel about it… It didn't feel right.
'It's hard to do something half-hearted and sort of dip your toe in; it's not really for me.'
Her brother Sam Thompson, who won I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here in 2023, was also a cast member in the show.
Louise's fiancé Ryan joined the show in 2016 after they struck up a relationship when she employed him as her personal trainer and got engaged in 2018.
The MIC star famously dated Spencer Matthews, who is now happily married to Vogue Williams, while on the show and had a fair share of infamous rows.
In 2013, Spencer and Louise had a very explosive breakup scene, one of the most memorable moments on the Channel 4 show.
During the heated shouting match Spencer said: 'It's very hard to respect you when you allow me to cheat on you'.
Viewers saw the couple part ways in an acrimonious fashion which came after ladies' man Spencer admitted to cheating on the tiny brunette multiple times, including sleeping with another girl in Louise's own bed.
Louise quickly went on to date MIC co-star Andy Jordan before meeting her future husband Ryan.
Louise first joined the hit reality TV show in 2011 and quit in 2019 after eight years, admitting the series often left her 'deflated' (pictured in 2011)
The reality star was embroiled in many rows with friends and boyfriends and enjoyed many nights out while on the show (pictured in 2018)
Her brother Sam Thompson, who won I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here in 2023, was also a cast member in the show
Louise's fiancé Ryan joined the show in 2016 after they struck up a relationship when sheemployed him as her personal trainer and got engaged in 2018
The MIC star famously dated Spencer Matthews, who is now happily married to Vogue Williams, while on the show and had a fair share of infamous rows
In 2013, Spencer and Louise had a very explosive breakup scene, one of the most memorable moments on the Channel 4 show
Battle with PTSD after near-death experience
Louise has been extremely open about her debilitating health issues after she nearly died while giving birth in 2021.
The former Made In Chelsea star spent a month in intensive care with 'serious complications' after welcoming her son Leo.
She suffered with extreme PTSD and post-natal anxiety due to the near-death experience, admitting during one week in January 2022 that she cried up to 20 times.
Louise is yet to reveal the actual cause and complication which lead to her nearly dying.
The reality star announced last month she is releasing a book, Lucky, where she will tell the story of the near-death experience.
Louise, who often calls Leo her 'little miracle baby', manages to control her anxiety, and after obsessively checking her temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate, is able to go about her normal, daily routine.
She has contended with a myriad of physical issues since the traumatic birth alongside Ulcerative Colitis, which she was diagnosed with before falling pregnant.
Ulcerative Colitis is a chronic bowel condition where the colon and rectum become inflamed and small ulcers can develop on the colon's lining, which can bleed.
In December, two years after Leo's birth, she reflected on the time since the traumatic series of events.
She said: 'Here's a reminder that a lot can change in a year. A lot can change in 6 months. Indeed a lot can change in a month but it's hard to witness the change until you create some sizeable distance from it.
'I'm crying writing this. I'm feeling very emotional today. I can't lie it feels nice to purge my pain. I encourage you to try writing and crying too.
'Sometimes it helps. But the main reason I'm writing this is because I really want you guys to know that you must keep moving forward. Don't give up. Because there will be a time when you will want to wear a pretty party dress again. You will shine again.'
Louise has been extremely open about her debilitating health issues after she nearly died while giving birth in 2021 (pictured with fiancé Ryan (left), son Leo (middle), brother Sam Thompson (top centre) and Sam's girlfriend Zara McDermott (centre right)
The former Made In Chelsea star spent a month in intensive care with 'serious complications' after welcoming her son Leo
She suffered with extreme PTSD and post-natal anxiety due to the near-death experience, admitting during one week in January 2022 that she cried up to 20 times
Louise is yet to reveal the actual cause and complication which lead to her nearly dying
Debilitating health conditions
Louise has been in and out of hospital this year as her symptoms with Ulcerative colitis worsened, after being diagnosed with the condition in 2018.
The condition is an inflammation of the lower end of the digestive system and sadly has no cure, but can be effectively managed with time.
Louise was rushed to hospital in January after losing 'cups of blood' due to Ulcerative Colitis while on holiday in Antigua with Leo and Ryan.
Louise explained how she began struggling while on holiday with her family in the Caribbean and used up all of her energy 'pretending to be okay'.
The reality personality admitted that 'deep down' she knew she was really unwell and pushed on because the holiday had been planned for so long.
Louise insisted that most people would have been in A&E on day one with her symptoms, however she had become 'too used' to her chronic condition.
She said that she was falling asleep a lot 'randomly' throughout the day while on the trip and was struggling to walk and pick up her son.
Louise said the end of every day felt like 'surviving' to see another one, as she shared the horror of 'going to the loo every 20 minutes and losing cup fulls of blood'.
Louise said her body was 'surviving, masking and compensating', but it raised alarm bells to her family given her past health woes.
It got to the point where she couldn't cope anymore and nothing was healing on its own and she began to feel like things were 'dangerous'.
At this point she booked an early flight home and went straight to A&E where she was admitted immediately.
She said there have been 'several ups and downs' along the way but insisted she would not let herself 'slip back'.
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!'
She was then admitted to hospital three times in one week over extreme pains, ultrasounds and check ins.
Louise was rushed to hospital in January after losing 'cups of blood' due to Ulcerative Colitis while on holiday in Antigua with Leo and Ryan
What is ulcerative colitis?Ulcerative colitis is thought to be an autoimmune condition.
That means, the immune system goes wrong and starts to attack healthy tissue.
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 it to become inflamed.
However, it's unclear what causes the immune system to behave in this way.
The UK Crohn's & Colitis UK charity reports at least 1 in every 227 people in the UK has been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. This amounts to around 296,000 people.
Although it can develop at any age, it is most often diagnosed in people between 15 and 25 years old.
It's more common in white people of European descent, especially those descended from Ashkenazi Jewish communities, and black people.
The condition is rarer in people from Asian backgrounds, although the reasons for this are unclear.
Both men and women seem to be equally affected by ulcerative colitis.
Source: NHS
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Louise insisted that most people would have been in A&E on day one with her symptoms, however she had become 'too used' to her chronic condition
Having a 'life-saving' stoma bag fitted
Louise revealed on Tuesday how she had to have a 'life-saving' stoma bag fitted after years of suffering from ulcerative colitis following her diagnosis in 2018.
She shared the news with her Instagram followers, bravely admitting it is 'not something she wanted to hide forever'.
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.'
Louise revealed on Tuesday how she had to have a 'life-saving' stoma bag fitted after years of suffering from ulcerative colitis following her diagnosis in 2018.
She shared the news with her Instagram followers, bravely admitting it is 'not something she wanted to hide forever'
What is a stoma?
A stoma is a surgically-created opening made on the abdomen, which is made to divert the flow of urine and faeces.
According to the NHS, this procedure may be needed if you cannot pass stools through your anus, which could be the result of an illness, injury or problem with your digestive system.
In the UK, it is estimated that one in 335 people have had the surgery.
The procedure can be part treatment for a number of illnesses, including cancer, diverticulitis, Crohn's disease or any trauma to the abdomen.
The stoma will generally be 'pink and most - like the inside of our mouths'. After the surgery, it will be swollen, but this will reduce in six to eight weeks.
There is no sensation to touching a stoma - as there are no nerves - but different people will have theirs in a different size or shape.
It is also possible to have a temporary stoma, which could later be reversed, if the diseased or damaged area in the bowel needs to heal over time.
A stoma is a surgically-created opening made on the abdomen, which is made to divert the flow of urine and faeces. Stock image used
TYPES OF STOMA
COLOSTOMY
This refers to an opening in the colon - the large intestine. During the operation, a part of the colon will be brought from inside the body through their abdomen. The output from this 'often resembles a traditional stool' and functions around one to three times a day.
ILEOSTOMY
For this procedure, the surgeon will bring a part of the small intestine - the ileum specifically - from inside the patient's body and bring it through the abdomen, stitching it down to secure it. The output for an ileostomy is looser than that of a colostomy. An ileostomy bag - which enables drainage into the toilet between three to six times a day' - is also worn.
UROSTOMY
A urostomy refers to an opening for a person's urine specifically. For this, the surgeon will take a piece of someone's small intestine and attach it to the ureters. This will 'form a passageway for urine to pass through'. For this, one of the tube is brought out through the abdomen. A urostomy bag will also have a 'bung or tap on the bottom to allow urine to be drained at regular intervals into the toilet'.
Source: Colostomy UK, NHS