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Louise Thompson’s Heartfelt Tribute to NHS Staff Amidst Her Battle with Invisible Illnesses

BBG News

Louise Thompson shared an update about her health, expressing gratitude towards the dedicated NHS team for extending her precious moments on earth.

The former

Made in Chelsea
star, 30, took to Instagram on Tuesday to share a post commemorating World IBD Day, which raises awareness for Crohn’s and other inflammatory bowel diseases.

Back in 2018, I was hit with a trifecta of health challenges: Ulcerative colitis, Lupus, and Asherman’s syndrome. These conditions, along with two hemorrhages I experienced, have significantly impacted my life. To manage these issues, I was fitted with a stoma bag. Despite these hurdles, I continue to navigate my health journey with resilience and determination.

In December 2021, she came close to losing her life during the delivery of her firstborn, Leo, as a result of encountering severe complications that necessitated an emergency C-section.

In her recent update, Louise openly talked about the challenges she faces due to an ‘unseen illness,’ by posting a picture of herself at the hospital.

‘Invisible diseases are deceptive. They can be cruel because people can’t see them,’ she explained.

Instead of flaunting my injuries by displaying them to others, I tend to endure my pain privately, without company.

This image serves as an illustration of the concealed vulnerabilities often masked by resilience, a cheerful demeanor, and casual attire.

Appearing fine on the surface, but beneath this exterior, there are four drains hidden under my clothing that are inflicting both mental and physical torment upon me.

Louise then brought up a recent post she’d come across, made by someone who had departed the medical field. In her words, she expressed gratitude towards all physicians and caregivers for their unyielding dedication.

In her post, she mentioned that they were criticizing the NHS, the low pay, and the excessive work hours. However, they also spoke about their joy at having quit and moving towards potentially wealthier opportunities in a different field, possibly aesthetics… or so it seems!

When it came to that part, I found myself getting a little confused, as I became deeply immersed and quite emotional while reading the heartfelt messages that were being shared.

Upon reflection, I truly wish their actions weren’t merely a strategic move to attract more customers and visibility for their brand. However, it certainly provoked some serious contemplation in me.

Reflecting on this, it strikes me profoundly how grateful I am for individuals who selflessly dedicate their days, often working extended 8-hour (and sometimes longer) shifts, to aid those in need during their most challenging moments in life.

Individuals who choose to prioritize another person’s life over their own mental wellbeing, finding themselves potentially witnessing a death. It seems almost unimaginably difficult for me.

‘They commit to making a difference. They keep people living. They give people like me more time.’

She went on saying, “Picture a world where you could bestow life upon another, for life truly is the greatest gift. Think about how different our world would be without all of those courageous individuals. A salute to you, those who persevere and refuse to give up.

It’s clear that everyone here is exceptionally intelligent, a trait that likely drew you to your chosen profession. The potential benefits from this intelligence are significant, much like how the brightest students in my class at school were drawn to advanced science subjects (I couldn’t help but chuckle at the memory). However, with great intelligence comes great opportunity cost.

I’d like to express my gratitude to everyone who prioritizes others amidst numerous possibilities. Thank you to all the wonderful individuals who selflessly give their time, even when dealing with less-than-ideal health conditions.

Louise disclosed in April that she had undergone a stoma fitting, which was the result of her prolonged struggle with ulcerative colitis.

Ulcerative colitis refers to a long-term illness that affects the large intestine (colon) and rectum, causing them to become inflamed. This inflammation may lead to the formation of tiny sores or ulcers on the inner wall of the colon, which might bleed.

A stoma refers to an artificially created opening that’s situated on the abdomen. This opening is designed to redirect bodily waste away from the natural path, directing it instead into a medical apparatus that the individual can later empty.

Ever since being diagnosed, Louise has persistently worked towards spreading knowledge and flaunts her stoma, affectionately referred to as ‘Winnie’, similar to the lovable character Winnie The Pooh.

Last month, Louise shared that she experienced a severely disabling stoma leak incident in the heart of London.

She shared that she and her fiance, Ryan Libbey, rode his motorcycle to Marylebone for an appointment and a cup of coffee, followed by recording a podcast together.

Regardless of the promising beginning, I found myself abruptly recognizing that my stoma pouch had inadvertently spilled, compelling me to hasten towards the closest hospital for essential supplies.

Or, more casually:

Things were looking good initially, but then I realized my stoma bag had sprung a leak, leaving me with no choice but to rush off to the nearest hospital for some emergency supplies.

Yesterday, I found myself in a deeply disheartening predicament. On our bike adventure, Ryan and I captured some wonderful moments that we shared with you all. Here are a few selfies from our journey before things took an unexpected turn.

This morning got off wonderfully. I had an early visit at Aveneues Life, where I met Ryan. To beat the traffic, we opted to bike instead, which trimmed approximately 20 minutes off our travel time.

In the upcoming days, I’m looking forward to catching up with two dear friends as we record a podcast that we’ve been planning for quite some time. After a challenging week filled with health issues, I can feel an electric excitement simmering within me, eager to connect and share with my friends once more.

After dismounting our bike in Marylebone, we found ourselves brimming with joy and made our way to @watchhouse for some delightful coffee and cookies before recording, since we arrived a little early. However, as I reached into my pocket, I felt something damp, which turned out to be an unfortunate stoma leak – quite a distressing incident.

She shared that she became so overpowered by the circumstances that she couldn’t articulate the situation, however, Ryan intervened, as she was made to wait in a restroom for about an hour while the staff attempted to find replacement stoma bags.

As an over-the-moon fan, I found myself limping towards the closest private hospital, feeling quite uneasy due to the circumstances. To be completely honest, when we reached the reception, I was struck dumb by the situation’s intensity. Fortunately, my trusty companion, Ryan, stepped up and handled our check-in for me.

After that, I found myself in a bathroom, waiting for about an hour while seated on the toilet, surrounded by a mess, as they searched for stoma bags for their hospitalized patients.

She posted a picture of the bag she discovered, detailing that she had to tear apart her previous one forcefully and trim down a new gadget, as her aid hurriedly bought her a replacement pair of pants, and she found it challenging to regain her composure.

Or, more concisely:

She shared a photo of the bag she’d found, explaining that she had to forcibly tear apart her old one and trim down a new device, with her assistant rushing off to buy new trousers, as she grappled to get herself back together.

After the harrowing event, she found herself at a breaking point and understood that she couldn’t carry on with her professional responsibilities anymore. Instead, she decided it was crucial to focus on improving her mental well-being.

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2025-05-20 19:46

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