Thriving Years After Cancer
- Actor Michael C. Hall, 53, is preparing for the “Dexter” prequel while serving as executive producer for the new production. While filming the television series during its original run, Hall was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of blood cancer he tried to keep private until chemo side effects made that increasingly difficult. He’s since reached remission.
- Some people battling a disease or cancer are open to sharing their experiences as much as they can, while others prefer to keep it to themselves. SurvivorNet experts say both approaches and everything in between are valid.
- Lymphoma treatment largely depends on the nature of your specific diagnosis; however, chemotherapy and radiation are often the primary lines of treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma.
- Hodgkin lymphoma symptoms may include swelling in the lymph nodes in your neck, night sweats, fever, itching, fatigue, unexplained weight loss, and pain after consuming alcohol.
“Dexter” actor Michael C. Hall, 53, is gearing up for a prequel to the successful series that ran for eight seasons. The new project is expected to explore Hall’s origin story further, which will be portrayed by another actor while Hall will serve as an executive producer for the production. Interestingly, Hall revealed that events in his life off-screen helped fuel his “Dexter” character, most notably after his father died at a young age from prostate cancer.
Hall says he “learned how to cover up” feelings of grief after his father’s death, which he reportedly channeled into his acting, according to the New York Times.
Expert Resources on Lymphomas
Hall’s Diagnosis Came About While Filming
Hall was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma when he was 38 while filming on the set of “Dexter.” He chose to keep his diagnosis private from many people, including his fellow co-stars.He began chemotherapy the day after he finished filming the television show. However, his quest to keep his cancer diagnosis a secret became increasingly more difficult because chemo side effects, including hair loss, drew attention and concern.
“I really underestimated how much [other people’s support] would be a source of inspiration or strength,” Hall told The Guardian.
Some people battling a disease or cancer are open to sharing their experiences as much as they can, while others prefer to keep it to themselves or close loved ones. SurvivorNet experts say both approaches and everything in between is valid.
WATCH: Sharing a Diagnosis
“Patients who have just been diagnosed with cancer sometimes wonder how they are going to handle the diagnosis of the cancer in social situations,” psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik explains.
Questions like “How much information should they share and with whom should they share the information?” are things Plutchik says patients take into consideration.
Dr. Plutchik explains, “There is no one right way to handle this diagnosis. People should do what feels right to them.”
A cancer journey can last months to years, which means cancer warriors may be experiencing a lot of uncertainty until they fully understand where their health stands. This uncertainty can influence when a cancer patient is ready to share their diagnosis, Dr. Plutchik further explained.
Dr. Plutchik stresses that those close to a person going through cancer should be respectful of their wishes when it comes to disclosing their diagnosis and seeking support.
Understanding Hall’s Diagnosis
Lymphoma is a blood cancer, specifically of the immune system, that affects infection-fighting cells called lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell.
Lymphomas are subcategorized as Hodgkin lymphoma or non-Hodgkin lymphoma, the more common type. Hodgkin lymphoma often starts in B cells, a component of the lymph system that makes antibodies that help protect against germs. When the B cells are compromised, they cannot effectively protect against germs, increasing your risk of infections.
WATCH: The type of lymphoma you have matters.
Hodgkin lymphoma symptoms may include swelling in the lymph nodes in your neck, night sweats, fever, itching, fatigue, unexplained weight loss, and pain after consuming alcohol.
Lymphoma Treatment Options
Lymphoma treatment largely depends on the nature of your specific diagnosis. For non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients, their cancer is more likely to spread randomly and be discovered in different groups of lymph nodes in the body. Hodgkin lymphoma cancers, on the other hand, are more likely to grow consistently from one group of lymph nodes directly to another.
Treatment options for Hodgkin lymphoma include chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and chemo with stem cell transplant.
WATCH: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma Treatment
Again, the treatment route mainly taken depends on the nature of the cancer and how it is progressing. As for Hall, he underwent chemotherapy, which helped him reach remission.
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) defines remission as a “decrease in or disappearance of signs and symptoms of cancer.” In general, patients who if patients remain in remission for at least five years are considered to have “no signs of cancer” or “no evidence of disease.” Physicians often avoid saying someone is “cured” of cancer because some cancer cells can remain in the body and could return years down the road (also called recurrence).
According to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, “More than 80 percent of all patients diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma can be cured by current treatment approaches.”
Questions for Your Doctor
If you are facing a lymphoma diagnosis, here are some questions you can ask your doctor to begin your journey to a successful outcome.
- What type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma do I have?
- What stage of my lymphoma is in, and if it has spread, how far?
- Do we need to treat the lymphoma immediately?
- What treatment do you recommend to help me beat this diagnosis?
- Should I get more opinions about the treatment options available?
- What are some possible side effects I should expect during treatment?
- Will insurance cover the recommended treatment?
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