Louise Thompson Celebrates Two Years with Stoma

Louise Thompson has shared an emotional letter to her stoma bag, two years after having the bag fitted while undergoing a life-saving procedure.

The Made In Chelsea star, 35, was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in 2018 and in April 2024 she revealed that she had been fitted with a stoma.

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic bowel condition where the colon and rectum become inflamed and small ulcers develop on the colon's lining, which can bleed.

A stoma is a surgically-created opening made on the abdomen, which is made to divert the flow of body waste into a medical device, which the person can then empty. She named her bad 'Winnie' in a nod to Winnie The Pooh.

On the anniversary of having Winnie fitted, she shared a post and emotional video addressing her combined gratitude and resentment for the life-changing device.

Louise Thompson has shared an emotional letter to her stoma bag, two years after having the bag fitted while undergoing a life-saving procedure

The Made In Chelsea star, 35, was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in 2018 and in April 2024 she revealed that she had been fitted with a stoma, something she discussed in her new video

She penned an emotional letter 'to' her stoma

She wrote: 'Winnie was born 2 years ago. And we’ve been attached at the hip ever since. I’m not normally compatible with Aquarius signs but then again this wasn’t a relationship that I chose. We were thrown in to each other’s lives out of necessity...

'It’s been an interesting journey. You’ve taught me a lot. I think I owe you a lot. Sometimes you’re my best friend, other times I hate you...

'You’re clever stubborn overly honest - I don’t need to know that much detail about my health thank you very much. It’s funny to think that you might be in my life forever.

'Clinging on right up until the end. Two years on and I’m still making my peace. Although I did have a massage two nights ago as a v day treat and I reeealllly resented you...

'I couldn’t be bothered to explain my situation to the lovely foreign massage therapist who thought I said I have stomach problems instead of a stoma bag...

'I nodded and prayed that she didn’t get all up in my groin or she’d have had a right fright. Sometimes I wish you away...

'Especially this last month when you’ve been raking me up from my deepest sleep and sweetest dreams every single night. Good practise for another kid I guess...

The accompanying video comprised a number of clips showing the bag

Last year, Louise opened up about suffering a 'horrendously debilitating' stoma leak while out in central London

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 moist - 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

'Sometimes it’s ok to complain. I never do. I joke, but I don’t complain. I’ll complain about a chip on the sideboard or the dogs barking. But never about Winnie. Even when she leaks. It’s good I’ve got a solid handle on ‘perspective’...

'For the most part life is a breeze. This morning I’m allowing myself a moment of reflection… I’m sat here writing this and feeling grateful to the first person who ever performed a colectomy … can you believe this -

'The first recorded colectomy was a right hemicolectomy performed in 1732 by the French surgeon George Arnaud de Ronsil. The EARLY 1700s...

'I wouldn’t wanna be the person on that operating table. Thanks to the team that did mine so tidily (I think) and so safely. And thanks to all the test subjects before me. I wonder what will be possible for ibd / colon cancer sufferers in the future? x x...

'If anyone has any questions please fire away as I know it’s a little unusual.'

Last year, Louise opened up about suffering a 'horrendously debilitating' stoma leak while out in central London. She explained that she had headed to Marylebone with her fiancé Ryan Libbey on his motorbike for an appointment and a coffee, before going to record a podcast.

She also showed a video showing her on the toilet

She snapped selfies in the mirror showing her bag

But despite their 'great start', she suddenly realised her stoma bag had unfortunately leaked, forcing her to rush to the nearest hospital for supplies.

Sharing several selfies of her and Ryan on their bike journey before everything went wrong, she wrote: 'Yesterday I found myself in a really depressing situation.

'l had a great start to the day. I had a medical appointment at @avenues.life in the morning with Ryan... we biked there to get ahead of the traffic and managed to shave off 20 minutes from the journey.

'Then was off to record a podcast with 2x good friends which has been in the diary for ages. Had a lot of excited energy in my belly following a c**p week of of c**p health.

'We got off the bike in Marylebone blissfully happy and headed to @watchhouse for some delicious coffee and cookies pre-recording because we were a smidge early, but then I felt something a bit wet in my pocket. I looked down and had had the most horrendously debilitating stoma leak.'

She recounted how she was left 'too overwhelmed' to explain the situation, but Ryan stepped in, while she was left in a bathroom for an hour waiting for staff to try and source any new stoma bags.

Louise said: 'I had to hobble to the nearest hospital which was a private one so a bit awkward. I was actually too overwhelmed to speak when we got to reception so thankfully Ryan who I was with handled it for me.

'I then literally waited locked in a bathroom for an hour sat on the loo covered in mess whilst they dug around to see if they had any stoma bags for any of their [sic] inpatients.'