Venus Williams’ net worth is estimated at $95 million. Yet, when it comes to her health, it didn’t help her at all. She presented her fibroid symptoms to 12 doctors, and they downplayed them. Williams was gaslit. In her exclusive interview on the TODAY Show with Zinhle Essamuah, she details her difficulties dealing with intense pain, sometimes so severe she couldn’t get up off the ground, so she had to miss practice. This is all happening while she competed.
Lying on The Floor in The Locker Room Before A Final is Scary
One incident occurred before the 2016 Wimbledon doubles finals: “I was just lying on the floor in the locker room; Thank God, Serena went and got the doctor,” Williams said. “And I was able to eat, and start playing… bad luck for our opponents.”
They’re laughing, but it isn’t really funny. She is a Black woman who had to play through her pain because that is what we do. They won, but what did that cost her?
The Stats
Up to 70-80% women will be diagnosed with fibroids in their lifetime. But Black women are 2-3 times more likely to receive that diagnosis, and our symptoms will be more severe.
Was Her Anemia Sjögren’s or Something Else?
Williams believed that because she had been experiencing heavy periods and was in a state of constant anemia, it was caused by her autoimmune disease. In 2011, she withdrew from the U.S. Open, revealing for the first time that she had been diagnosed with Sjögren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disease that can cause joint pain.
Williams Didn’t Know the Extent of Her Fibroid Diagnosis
The Grand Slam Champion told Essamuah she didn’t know that her fibroid was the size of an orange. “One doctor told me, at the time I was like 37. Eh, this is part of aging, this is normal,” Williams explained.
Another doctor told her her only option was a hysterectomy. “I have never been so sad in my life. I had never been running to have kids,” William continued. “But to have that taken away was frightening.”
Williams Saw 12 Doctors Before She Found Someone Who Could Help
When the doctor recommended a hysterectomy, Williams began doing her own research. She found the NYU Langone Health Center for Fibroid Care, led by Dr. Taraneh Shirazian.
Dr. Shirazian said, “I think Venus’ story is very common. I think women do not get the care that they need. Even when she came to see me, she said, ‘I’ve seen a dozen other doctors.”
Williams then inquired why Dr. Shirazian recommended a surgical procedure—a myomectomy to remove her fibroids.
“Because I know it will make you feel better,” Dr. Shirazian replied.
The tennis champ is now a year post-surgery. “I have been taking this time to rest and recover and be a happy person without fibroids.”
She has been training a bit, and the 45-year-old has not ruled out playing again. When asked if she believes having fibroids impacted her professional tennis career. Williams said.
“I never had enough energy to play a real match the way I wanted to, of course, it affected my results.”
Williams is working with her doctor to raise awareness about fibroids. Essamuah inquired why, as an elite athlete, it had taken her so long to get to a diagnosis and treatment.
Williams’ answer rang so true. “You can be denied the best healthcare, no matter who you are.”
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