Abby Lee Miller, 55, of Dance Moms fame reveals she is learning to walk again post back surgery… two years after Burkitt’s lymphoma diagnosis
Abby Lee Miller is learning to walk again.
The Dance Moms star underwent life-saving spinal surgery and was diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma two years ago, and though she’s now cancer-free, she has been using a wheelchair to move around but recently had an elective operation to help ease her pain and regain her mobility.
Dr Hooman Melamed, who carried out the seven-hour surgery, admitted it was a difficult procedure because of Abby’s medical history.
Getting well: Abby Lee Miller spoke about a recent back surgery that is helping restore her ability to walk again; seen in May of this year
The doctor told Extra: ‘Because she got all this chemo, her bone quality was not the best …
‘I’m not going to lie; it was a very tough surgery to reconstruct, the nerve was extremely compressed, and you had to do a lot of lot of work, way more than you normally would.’
The 55-year-old star has also been receiving treatment from Dr Christopher Boudakian.
Taking small steps: ‘She’s really come a long way. It’s really a testament to her strength,’ said Dr. Christopher Boudakian; seen in late October
And he is pleased with her progress.
He said: ‘She’s really come a long way. It’s really a testament to her strength and her will to get back on her feet …
‘She is now able to stand from the chair and walk, what did you do, about 100, 150 feet?’
Standing tall: The dance coach is reportedly ready to get her ‘independence’ back again
Abby replied: ‘150 feet today.’
It is hoped the reality TV star will be able to ‘ditch the wheelchair’ after another three to six months of intensive therapy, and she can’t wait to get her ‘independence’ back.
She said: ‘I want to have more independence. I want to live my life. I want to be able to jump in the shower anytime I want, anytime I feel like it. That’s a huge goal.
Getting some help: The former Dance Moms cast member was seen on the Dr Oz show in February discussing her battle with cancer
‘People see me sitting in the chair, and I’m in make-up and hair and, “Oh, she’s doing great.” They don’t really see what goes on behind closed doors. It’s rough. Very rough.’
And Abby can’t wait to get back to work.
She added: ‘I have a scripted show and two reality shows in the works right now. I probably wasn’t supposed to say that, but I don’t care. I want to get back to working with children again and I’m doing a project with older kids actually, no moms.’
One day at a time: Miller has undergone extensive physical therapy in the hopes of walking again and is currently using a wheelchair for mobility