Vivian Castleberry and cancer
I am continuing my work on a book about Dallas women’s page editor Vivian Castleberry. I recently came across the above article that Vivian wrote about her experience with cancer.
Here is what I wrote:
On April 1, 1978, Vivian learned she had uterine cancer. It was stage one when it was discovered and had a full recovery rate of 85 to 90 percent. She noted, “You can hardly beat those odds crossing Main Street in the noonday traffic. If you have got to get cancer, uterine cancer is the best kind to get; it’s the easiest to cure.” She recalled of the initial call from her doctor, “I have always wondered how I would act under this kind of critical condition. Instead of acting, I find I am numb.”
Her husband Curtis consulted experts and conducted research on the disease. Vivian focused on her feelings: “It frightened me to reduce my body to cells and organs even though I know, intellectually, I know that’s what I am.” She remained in a state of shock. Forty-eight hours after learning the news, she was back in control. She made calls and plans for her treatment. She went through radiation treatment and a painful recovery.
By April 17, she is back at work, only to learn: “They can run a newspaper very well without me.” Bouts of anger follow until she is ready for her hysterectomy on May 2. Her radiologist tells her, “You ARE going to get better.” She believes him. By the following day, she is writing in her journal: “Cancer is not something you live with all the time. There are longer and longer stretches when it doesn’t enter my head.”
More painful recovery continues as she tries to be patient. She noted, “I have battled cancer and I have won. God, hasten the day when no one will have to wage that fight.”
