Dexter star Michael C. Hall has joined forces with his devoted wife and co-star Jennifer Carpenter to conquer his Hodgkin’s lymphoma – but his brave battle has forced them to postpone baby plans.
That’s the dramatic story behind the announcement that the acclaimed 38-year-old star has been secretly fighting the disease since last year.
The ENQUIRER also learned that painful memories of his own father’s untimely death haunt him to this day.
"Michael and Jennifer STILL definitely want a baby," a close pal told The ENQUIRER.
"But their No. 1 priority now is to make sure he’s healthy, and that the Hodgkin’s is well behind them before they start their family."
Michael recently announced he was diagnosed last year, and his publicist revealed the disease is currently in remission, although the star will continue treatment.
"Of course, it was a crushing blow to Michael and Jennifer," said the pal. "They’re newlyweds and were very anxious to start trying for a baby.
"But they both agreed that it was unwise to have a kid if there was any chance his cancer might return."
The illness came as a shock to Michael because he has always made a habit of eating right and staying healthy, said a source.
"Michael has tried to stay on the safe side, cooking healthy, macrobiotic meals
.
"And while he undergoes treatment, Jennifer has been extremely supportive – working out with him and making sure he gets plenty of rest.
"Jennifer agrees they should wait before having kids. They just want to concentrate on making sure that Michael stays well." At 30, Jennifer has plenty of child-bearing years ahead.
Michael was just 11 when his father, IBM executive William C. Hall, died of cancer.
"At that age," Michael said in an interview, "my father’s death was a real marker. For a young boy, there’s no good age, but I think I was on the cusp of a time in my life where I was starting to reach puberty, to relate to my father. To have him (die)…Something gets frozen."
Hodgkin’s lymphoma is considered one of the most curable cancers. Five-year survival rates are nearly 92 percent for all patients less than 45 years old at diagnosis.
But sources say that such statistics are not much comfort to Michael.
"The last thing in the world Michael wants is for Jennifer to have a child and then have his cancer come back," said the source. "He would never want to put his wife and child through what he went through.
"Seeing his own father die when he was very young made a lasting and terrible impression on him. So now he wants to wait and see what happens."
