Hall is Back
- Fans are thrilled to hear that actor Michael C. Hall, 49, is reprising his role as Dexter for a limited series run in 2021.
- Hall is a cancer survivor; in 2010 he was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma, a type of blood cancer.
- The actor is not only an inspiration for those fighting cancer, but his openness about his sexuality is equally inspiring.
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Hall’s Open Spirit
While the character Dexter was known for having many ladies in his life, Hall has been forthcoming about his fluid sexuality.
In a 2018 interview with The Daily Beast, the actor shared, when asked about his sexuality, "I think there's a spectrum. I am on it. I'm heterosexual. But if there was a percentage, I would say I was not all the way heterosexual…I think I have always leaned into any fluidity in terms of my sexuality." (While Dexter was portrayed as straight, Hall played a gay character on the award-winning show, Six Feet Under.)
Seeing a famous person speak openly about the spectrum of sexuality is so admirable, particularly because many people are still in 2020, no less shamed or harrassed because of their sexuality. While Hall’s candor is brave and awesome, we also look to his fight against Hodgkin Lymphoma for inspiration, too.
Hall’s Lymphoma Fight
Hodgkin Lymphoma is a blood cancer that affects the immune system. When white cells become malignant, they may become cancerous, which is what happened to Hall.
In 2010, the actor was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma. After the diagnosis, he forged ahead with optimism.
When asked about his cancer, Hall said in an interview, “Along with the diagnosis came the assurance that my prognosis was really good if I just decided on a course of treatment and just did it. I was never in a 50/50 life or death proposition. It was scary, but I wasn't really frightened. I was more just interested in finding out the answers to questions surrounding what I needed to do, and eager to do them in terms of treatment."
Hall was diagnosed after experiencing persistent cold-like symptoms. (Symptoms that may indicate lymphompa include cold-like signs such as swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, fever, unexplained weight loss.) He then underwent chemotherapy for the disease, as well as surgery so doctors could perform biopsy of two lymph nodes.
Finding Lymphoma Early Do you Know the Symptoms and Risks?
Dr Cecilia Larocca, a dermatologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, tells SurvivorNet, “In certain situations, your doctor will discuss whether or not we have to sample a lymph node. A lymph node is a warehouse a clearing warehouse in the body where our immune cells go to process abnormal infections, abnormal cancer cells.”
After lymph node surgery and chemotherapy, Hall lost his hair due to chemo, and wore a wig on season five of Dexter.
Related: Complete Guide to Wigs for Cancer Patients: Cost, Types and Where to Buy
His Hodgkin Lymphoma was caught early, which made his prognosis better. And in the face of beating the disease, Hall made some lifestyle changes: He went vegan, he gave up drinking, he gave up using marijuana. (Some people, though, use marijuana to help with the pain from chemotherapy.)
Hall championed over his cancer, and there are other stories of victory, too. The actor’s amazing resilient spirit, optimism in the face of hardship, and ability to thrive post-cancer is something all of his fans can be excited about; and then there’s Dexter’s return, too. We can’t wait for that one.
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