http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/williams-feeling-good-as-she-makes-her-singles-return-7576772.html
She says she's feeling good and will be playing singles again --- I can't wait to see!
Yay for Venus!
That is good news. However, apparently she hasn't figured out that the stress of the game will drive her into another flare. Hate to be a pessimist, but one of these days she will have to change her occupation. Irish ;D
I have to agree with Irish. Venus needs to understand "Spoon Theory". She needs to start practicing some of the things that we all have to do to fend off flairs.
Quote from: Joe S. on March 19, 2012, 01:56:33 PM
I have to agree with Irish. Venus needs to understand "Spoon Theory". She needs to start practicing some of the things that we all have to do to fend off flairs.
Spoon theory?
I fully agree with you, it would be hard for her being at the top and having to deal with sjogrens I wish her well with it.
One would think that something that is so mentally and phisically taxing would be far far more than enough to send you into a flare.
Cheryl
I'm glad this article acknowledged that Sjogren's is incurable as some of the other ones I've read in reference to Venus made it seem like it's a cold, and if you rest, let it run it's course, and it will be over and she'll be good to go and back in the game.
Tennis is such a grueling sport. I sure wouldn't be able to be out in the full sun for the whole tournament. I wonder if her doctors have told her about the sun and Sjogren's?
I hope Venus can pace herself. She'll have to learn by trial and error what her limits are and what she needs to do to adjust her game to how she's feeling on game day.
Bucky
I hate to say it, but I wonder if they drug her up on prednisone to make it through these tennis matches. I cannot imagine being out on the tarmac in the hot sun. I would fall on my face---even when I was young I couldn't take the heat and I was in much better physical shape back then.
Irish
Am I the only one with Sjogrens who gets BETTER when out in the sun ?
I do really, really well with very high temps and sunny weather. Perhaps because I also have Raynauds, it is the only time my body really relaxes and is just calm and happy. My energy just shoots up as well.
Winters are so long and cold, I feel like a slug, achy, constantly tired unable to get fully warm.
I sure couldn't deal with the emotional stress that professional sports would dish out- that kind of strain would send me into a tailspin but I actually feel better with a lot of exercise. Just the no-pressure , non-competitive variety!
It must be very hard for someone in the public eye as she is to be able to call it a day and step away permanently.
I used to play tennis for fun. I can't imagine trying to compete now. I consider myself lucky right now with my disease and used to be very active, but I opt out of anything physical now. Yoga is about it. Does anyone know what day she plays? I am going to watch. I guess I am jealous. :(
Winnie
I used to love the sun. It would energize and strengthen me. Now it does just the opposite. It burns through my clothing unless I am wearing my SPF30 clothes. Heat drains my energy now. I need 72 degrees and I do not know the humidity but guess about 20-40%.
As an only child, I had to do all the yard work and home repairs for my folks. I enjoyed the solitude of mowing the yard, trimming the trees, and snow removal. Now I avoid these tasks when the sun is shining. I prefer to do them at dusk or sun rise and try to keep them quiet so neighbors can sleep. It does take much longer to do them. 20 years ago, I could mow the yard in 20 minutes with a push mower. Today with a smaller yard and self propelled mower it takes over an hour spread over two days.
Quote from: Bucky on March 19, 2012, 08:17:24 PM
I'm glad this article acknowledged that Sjogren's is incurable as some of the other ones I've read in reference to Venus made it seem like it's a cold, and if you rest, let it run it's course, and it will be over and she'll be good to go and back in the game.
I was going to say that too. I worry people will say, "She has Sjogren's, so what? It's apparently no big deal if she's right back to such a physically demanding lifestyle. Sjogren's can't be THAT bad then..." >:( Just them seeing how well she's coping could set awareness back a few more years...but I am very happy she's doing so well!
Spoon theory:
http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory-written-by-christine-miserandino/
It could be she is in denial about it all it is amazing what you can make yourelf do if you really want to but sooner or later she will pay for it SS is a ticking time bomb.
I'm also ok out in the sun.
Cargillwitch
Thank you - I thought I must be a bit weird - the sun makes me feel so much better too. I think I must be solar powered. The only downside for me was that I couldn't get out of a swimming pool while on holiday in Cyprus a couple of years ago. I think that was a combination of sun and trying to swim a couple of lengths - otherwise, the sun makes me feel so much better.
Kathyx
I have Raynaud's and love summer and the heat. My circulaiton just seems to stagnate below 50 degrees. I layout under a UPF 50 tent. I think I might be willing to trade heat for the Pacific Northwest just to get some dry eye relief. I can appreciate that Venus needs to make hay while the sun shines (literally) because she probably isn't going to last a long time professionally. Who knows what her treatment protocol is but I'm curious.
I have Raynauds too but get very sick in the sun. That's how I got my " Lupus" overlap diagnosis since my bloodwork was typical sjogrens.
We are just coming out out summer and it has really knocked me a sixer this year I much perfer the cooler weather rather than the humidity. (Thinking of moving to Tasmania)
Cheryl
I too have Raynaud's and warmth is the best thing I have found. Also for the neuropathy. I couldn't sleep at night if not for my electric blanket. Hubby turns it on about an hour before we turn in and it feels so good. I tuck legs and hands under it and off to sleep I go. At least for a few hours.
I have a feeling Venus hasn't yet had a good flare. I'm sure when one hits her things will change a good bit for her. I give a lot of credit having the courage to go back into competition. I pray she has a good time of itl
Just Pooh
My problem with the sun is three things:
1) I get this rash like markings on my neck and in the "V" of a v-neck shirt. The only thing is, this rash never goes away - it's discoloration of the skin from the sun and being on Plaquenil. (there's a picture of it on a thread called "Plaquenil and skin discoloration"). I also get this discoloration on my forearms too.
I'm not sure if our different ethnic backgrounds affects how our bodies react to the sun and medicines or not?
I know for myself, prior to Sjogren's and being on Plaquenil, being out in the sun wasn't a problem (except, I did and still do, burn easily as I am fair-skinned).
2) With my hair thinning so much on top, my scalp will easily burn if I don't wear a hat (and I usually don't) or shade myself with an umbrella.
3) I get hot too easily. So, my best plan of action is to avoid my time outside in the sun as much as I can. Sitting in the shade isn't bad, it's just out in the bright, hot, sunshine that doesn't mix well with me.
I don't see how Venus can stand the bright sunlight in her eyes. Our son plays tennis and I keep asking him if he wants to wear sunglasses and he says it interferes with seeing the ball, so they don't wear sunglasses. I HAVE to wear sunglasses when out in the sun or I get a splitting headache not to mention the drying effect on my eyes (like I need some more . . . ::)).
In fact, there's a tennis match this coming Saturday for our son. There is no shade there either. Ugh! Not looking forward to it.
Bucky 8)
Quote from: irish on March 19, 2012, 10:40:07 AM
That is good news. However, apparently she hasn't figured out that the stress of the game will drive her into another flare. Hate to be a pessimist, but one of these days she will have to change her occupation.
I totally agree with you.
Sorry Venus ... but I don't think the full reality has sunk in yet.
Glad you are feeling better. But do yourself a favor ...
stay off the tennis courts ... stay out of the sun ...
find another line of work. Sorry.
She is good looking, and with the AI disease she should look good no matter how she feels. Maybe there is some thing else that she likes to do that would keep her out of the sun. Making Advertizements, and movies might be a good option. Good management should keep her from flairs while she is working. I wish her the best success of her life.
She has a clothing line and I think she's starting a line of furniture or something, I seem to remember seeing something on TV about it. You can find her clothing on her website, I think it's called eleVen. Her furniture is, I think, under the name V Starr.
But I'm sure she still makes most of her income from endorsements --- which she may not have for long if she's not playing. I know that I'm doing myself harm by continuing to work full time with a two-hour daily commute, and I'm sure she's doing the same thing. I hope it doesn't have to last too much longer for her, but I certainly get it.
I am ok in the sun, too, as long as I have sunscreen and reapply every hour. Once we get to June and July, and it's hovering around 100 every day, I avoid the mid-day sun completely. But it's more the heat than the rays themselves.