The beginning of 2019 was a tough one for “Dance Moms” star Abby Lee Miller. In recovery after a rigorous treatment regiment for cancer left her in a wheelchair, the reality-TV veteran had a lot of work ahead of her.
But hard work is nothing new for the dance instructor and choreographer. So, true to form, the (Miller) show went on. Despite leaving halfway through the seventh season of “Dance Moms” to take care of her cancer, Miller was not just back on Season 8, but she went on the road and, slowly but surely, started getting back on her feet.
Miller’s Cancer Journey
Read MoreView this post on Instagram
“One year ago today ~ I underwent emergency surgery for an infection in my spine,” Miller wrote in the caption of her April post. “This mass/tumor choking my spinal cord turned out to be Burkitt Lymphoma. I endured ten rounds of chemo therapy (each lasting 6 days with 4/ 24hr bags pumping poison into my body ending with a spinal tap in 3 spots, plus another shot of Chemo into my tailbone area up the spinal cord around my brain cavity) Ten times!”
The infamous dance instructor went on to describe how she had to undergo several other surgeries and months of physical therapy to be able to sit up and crawl around by herself. She’s been in a wheelchair since the surgery. Over the past few months, however, Miller has been working hard to to stand and walk again. She regularly updates fans about her progress, and shares videos of her physical therapy sessions where she can be seen talking little steps, and even doing some modified dance moves.
Adjusting to Life in a Wheelchair
Adjusting to life in the wheelchair has been particularly difficult for Miller as her work at her studio — the Abby Lee Miller Dance Company — relies heavily on physical movement. As she retrains her body, she has also had to adapt to be able to teach her dance classes from her wheelchair.
In a September appearance on “The Doctors,” Miller wowed the audience when she was able to take several steps on stage with the help of her walker. Her doctor also appeared on the show to explain how inspirational Miller’s attitude was as she went through this ultimate challenge.
“The minute Abby was in remission, she took off, trying to get her life back,” said Dr. Lawrence Piro, an oncologist and the president and CEO of The Angeles Clinic and Research Institute. “Right after we finished [treatment], she took off to Pittsburgh to film a new season of ‘Dance Moms,’ and she was running at it full-tilt doing it all.”
Miller certainly has been doing it all, including making appearances with her dance company throughout the country. Earlier this month, the reality star headed to New York City for the weekend to host a slew of interactive dancing events at the New York Hilton in Midtown, including a VIP breakfast, dance class and audition workshop, and an "Ask Abby" Q&A session with the Season 8 cast of "Dance Moms."
Miller’s Health Struggles
Her rigorous work and travel schedule is quite an accomplishment, considering the health issues she’s dealt with over the past two years. In addition to recovering from cancer treatment, Miller also had to have a knee replacement surgery this year.
After she was declared cancer free, Miller took to social media to share with fans that she planned to have several cosmetic or health-related surgeries in the near future — including breast reduction, knee surgery and liposuction. Knee surgery was the first she checked off her list in July.
After the surgery, as she has many times before, she used her own experience with health issues to share important messages with her fans (and fellow dancers).
“God only gave you two knees[, so] protect them with proper alignment and wear knee pads when learning floor work!,” Miller wrote in a caption that accompanied a video of her showing off her “battle scars” after knee surgery.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
