I know Monica Potter from Parenthood, which aired on NBC from 2010 to 2015. I didn’t miss an episode of that series. It’s a shame it wasn’t more popular as it was poignant and seemed realistic. Potter, 46, played a mom who had a baby later in life, changed careers and battled breast cancer. I haven’t heard much about her, but she was on that show Wisdom of the Crowd on CBS, which only had a partial season last year after bad ratings. Plus it starred Jeremy Piven and no one wanted to touch it after he became known as an harasser. Kaiser reminded me that she also did a really nice home improvement show on HGTV called Welcome Back Potter in which she returned to her hometown of Cleveland, along with her three sisters, to restore the house they grew up in.
Anyway Potter runs a lifestyle site and she sells branded products like skin balm, candles and little tea towels. She seems to be really into DIY, crafts and homemaking. I didn’t know much about her personal life, but I assumed she was pregnant when she posted the message below. Many outlets reported this like she was pregnant. Potter is 46 and she has three children: two from her first marriage, both boys who are in their 20s, and daughter Molly, 12, from her current marriage. She’s said that she doesn’t want more children and is done, but this looks like a pregnancy announcement right?
After that, and after E!, The Daily Mail and some other sites reported that she was pregnant, Monica posted this video clarifying that she’s not pregnant and that her stomach is distended from colitis. It’s sometimes so bad she has to wear adult diapers. There are several videos below, you have to use the arrows to move to the next one, and there’s text of her main points in case you can’t watch them. Plus she writes almost the same thing in the caption.
She says, in part:
I’m not pregnant, kind of a little old to be pregnant but you never know. I wanted to bring awareness to some issues with my belly. Sometimes these issues aren’t talked about. Colitis, Crohn’s and getting a colonoscopy to diagnose what’s going on with our stomachs, intestinal problems. So I just wanted to let you guys know how important it is to get a colonoscopy and an endoscopy. I have colitis. It’s not something very glamorous. I’ve had to wear adult diapers sometimes driving Molly to school. I think finding the right healthcare provider to deal with these issues can prolong your life and also help diagnose things that you might not really understand. 1 in 24 women will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Those are not only the issues that we deal with as women… This is not meant to be a joke, this is something I take very seriously. I haven’t really shared or touched upon. All of the autoimmune disorders and diseases we face as women should be looked at. I urge all of you to get a colonoscopy. It’s something that could save your life.
I was thinking “way to bait and switch” until I watched these videos, read her message and realized how important this is. She said she’s lost two friends to colon cancer. My mom has microscopic colitis, doctors think she developed it from taking ibuprofen all the time before her knee replacement. Unless she eats absolutely perfectly for her condition (she eats gluten and dairy free and follows a FODMAP diet) she can be stuck at home running to the bathroom. It’s awful for her and is really difficult to deal with, to plan around, and to maintain her social schedule. So I understand and I hope that Potter brought awareness to this condition and to the need for regular colonoscopies. It’s been over ten years since my last colonoscopy and she has reminded me that I need to get one soon. The prep is the worst though.
photos credit: WENN.com
I was on the click-bait train till I followed through…sounds horrible
I have Crohn’s Disease. I am on two immuno-suppressants. I have been in the ER probably 7 times since this time last year, lost two teeth and clumps of hair from malnutrition.
I have the best medical care. I have a husband and family who love me. I am lucky.
It doesn’t “just” affect your digestive system but also your skin, joints, hair, teeth.
To look at me, you’d never know I’m very sick. Crohn’s is an invisible disease. That makes it more difficult for others to accept my limitations.
There is no cure. The right treatment can bring remission … until you develop antibodies to that treatment. Crohn’s changes your life. I no longer travel or make plans much. You can’t count on me. I live in the moment. There are many good days and a lot of hope. There is also a lot of suffering and isolation.
Crohn’s is a tough one. The more people understand it isn’t just diarrhea but your whole body and the way you have to live, the better.
It’s such a misunderstood disease.
You said this very well mrs wellon ,I’ve been living the hell of this disease since age 14.Seconday complications are terrible and it IS a systemic disease.Ive had two pyodermagangrenosum -not for the faint hearted ,blood clots,anemia is a constant,and when I’ve been severely flared people ask bluntly if I’m anorexic,and some say wow you look great-I’ve had women friends say to me they wished they could have my disease so that they could always be skinny 😟And yes the wonderful (sarcasm)biologic drugs are great until they destroy your immune system,you build up antibodies,and reduce your body’s tumor fighting abilities.
My 2 year old son had inflammatory bowel disease. It’s amazing how many people suffer from crohns and ulcerative colitis. It’s considered an invisible illness because people don’t look sick but it can be a truly devastating disease. I’m glad anytime someone brings awareness to it.
Do you go on twitter? There’s a really sweet blogger whose handle is “A Chronic Voice” and she suffers from crohn’s. I’m in the field of traditional Chinese medicine and follow several chronic illness groups in varying social media spheres and she is genuinely nice and her information is good. She writes about her own experiences, curates others’ content, and sends around information about good support groups. Another really useful site is the web site “The Mighty.” It supports varying different types of health and challenges and I often suggest it to my chronically ill patients. Either or both of these are good sources of support and information.
Finally, for the topic of gut issues, I’d suggest the book “The Good Gut.” It was written by a pair of Stanford scientists whose child was born with gut issues. It’s non-dogmatic, clear, and informative.
Good luck to you, and to your little boy!
Thank you for the suggestions! I’m always on the lookout for more information. I’m on several FB support groups too and we follow the Specific Carbohydrate Diet for him. He has been dealing with cdiff as well recently and just got a fecal transplant this week so we hope that helps.
*has not had* there is no cure. And he is still alive thank god 😀
My best friend got diagnosed with UC a few years ago. It was terrible -she was in the hospital for months, because they couldn’t release her as long as she kept passing blood and needing transfusions. After several years of struggling though -and finally learning about the specific carbohydrate diet and following it for years- she has been in remission for a couple years. She has been able to reenroll in school, is working on a grad degree, has a full time job, and a serious relationship with someone wonderful she met at work. All of this is just to say that I am so happy for your family that specific carbohydrate diet might bring eventual relief for you guys. <3
My heart felt suppport to M and Ib,I hope you’re loved ones can find true remission.Im still trying
That was a really clever way for her to bring attention to this condition. Good for her
This. ^^ Smart and effective. +100
Mix the prep with Trader Joe’s Margarita mix. Makes it much more tolerable than anything else I’ve tried.
This is an awesome tip thank you!
CB-
The prep has gotten less traumatic over the last ten years, according to my husband who just had one.
Good luck!
I will keep that in mind for next time. My doc had me mix Miralax with Gatorade Ice and it made me hate Gatorade forever.
Good idea – I was one of the 10% that suffered a severe allergic reaction to the prep (the 1 you split in 2 doses) and was violently ill. I had to go a year later for another one and have yet to go since I’m so traumatized for the prep. Procedures themselves are fine.
My husband has dealt with ulcerative colitis for decades…it’s really a curse. Some people don’t like talking about bowel/colon diseases, but they need attention.
You’re so correct minx,telling your teachers,boss,co workers is easy if you can say I have broken my leg and look-there’s the cast on it.Now,let’s go tell them I can’t come in today or tomorrow or maybe for weeks because I have bloody uncontrollable diarrhea and vomiting plus severe abdominal cramps,and I may $hit myself on the way to the bathroom,or at the water cooler.And yes I know you don’t believe me because yesterday I looked fine.
My husband had so many embarrassing accidents…its just par for the course. I’ve had bowel irritability here and there but nothing like him. That’s why I am not fazed by exposure to any bodily functions. Just part of life.
Can’t count the number of times I’ve lost control and diarrhea-everywhere ☹️ My sweet husband and daughter are used to this and we’re all clean up/disinfectant pros
My mom has colitis, it’s a horrid disease. She has suffered so much with it her whole life, she even had to have part of her colon removed. I feel for anyone who suffers with it
I saw the miralax bottle in the background so I knew immediately that it was gut issue related. People who suffer from SIBO also get bloated and it looks like a pregnant belly. I can sympathize with these issues. I hope she gets well soon!!
Same here. I saw that Miralax and thought she shouldn’t need that until 3rd trimester, knew our had to be something something about the alimentary canal.
So glad to see she has shared her story and happy she could help bring more awareness-I’ve lived with Crohn’s disease for nearly 30 years,and its debilitating and so hard for people to understand .It’s darn lonely is the truth. I have multiple secondary health problems from,this disease,and learned yesterday that I have breast cancer-Please friends,have all of your necessary medical screenings,it’s so easy to put them off but you’re worth it !❤️
Take care, spicecake. 💕
Thanks minx
I’m sorry for your health issues and latest diagnosis. Best of luck to you.
Sending you good wishes for the best possible outcome, Spicecake.
All of you guys-THANKS❤️
I’m sorry to hear she’s suffering with this, and I have to admire her bait and switch game to bring attention to the cause.
Her retail store was recently featured on the show The Profit – it’s struggling, and she seems to have some issues letting others make decisions, but I hope it’s rebounded and doing ok. All of the products looked very nice, and she seems to have deep connections to her hometown.
I watched that episode. At the time I thought she was a major flake, always showing up to things late and seemingly at the end of her rope. Now I’m wondering if her health issues were the cause of all that, and I really feel for her.
She came off as a bit of a nut on The Profit.
I love that she used people’s voracious appetites for pregnancies and bumps to call attention to bowel issues!! I know far too many people with Crohn’s, IBS, general bowel issues that it needs to be talked about more often. It can’t be easy to go through something so “embarrassing” alone and in silence.
+ 1000000
My father has ulcerative colitis and I just have to say that I commend Monica Potter for this “bait and switch”. If she just posted about having colitis no one would have listened or reported on it. By making the tabloids think she was pregnant she managed to shed light on an issue that many people either don’t know about or don’t want to pay attention to. Colitis has effected most aspects of my father’s life and people just don’t understand to what extent. Thank you, Monica!
@celebitchy – I’ve had multiple colonoscopies due to cancer scare (I’m 34). Request Prepopik – SO much easier to get down. It’s only two drinks (that don’t taste like ass) and then you chase each one with 20 oz of clear liquid. Worked great and it didn’t make me want to hurl!
Ulcerative colitis with diverticulitis here. Had a portion of my colon removed last spring.
It’s frustrating that my diet is so restricted and still, I have this constant belly bloat. I was super self conscious about it for years then got involved in Burlesque.
Burlesque has helped me embrace my body, bloat and all.
She used to remind me of Julia Roberts back in the day. I like some of her movies and I guess she’s never been a strong actress but I always thought maybe she didn’t get that many roles because she looked so similar to Roberts. Just a thought