Published Jan 25, 2021

Lymphoma Survivor Abby Lee Miller, 55, Says JoJo Siwa Is "Shining Example for the Kids Out There" After Siwa Came Out In Instagram Post

Singer JoJo Siwa spoke to fans recently about coming out and embracing differences; her former "Dance Moms" reality TV co-star, cancer survivor Abby Lee Miller, praised the teen and lent support.

Anne McCarthy

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Abby Praises JoJo

Abby Lee Miller, 55, from the reality TV show Dance Moms, is praising her former student from the show, JoJo Siwa, who recently came out.
Miller was diagnosed with Burkitt Lymphoma in 2018.
Throughout her health battles, Miller stayed focused on the good, and even taught dance from her hospital room.

Abby Lee Miller is shouting her support for former dance student JoJo Siwa at a pivotal moment in the young singer’s life. Siwa, 17, lit up the internet last week singing “Born this Way” by Lady Gaga, which led to people speculating she was gay. And this week, Siwa confirmed her coming out on Instagram Live, and she’s getting support from Miller.

Siwa said to her fans over the weekend on Instagram Live, “Personally I have never, ever, ever been this happy before and it feels really awesome. I’ve been happy for a little bit now. It’s just so, so, so awesome,” Siwa said before excitedly screaming. “You guys probably haven’t seen me this happy since I was on tour.” Siwa spoke about her new t-shirt that her cousin gifted her, which reads: “Best. Gay. Cousin. Ever.”

https://twitter.com/itsjojosiwa/status/1352719582977355777?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1352719582977355777%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fpeople.com%2Fmusic%2Fjojo-siwa-really-happy-lgbtq-community%2F

Abby Lee Miller sent Siwa a heartfelt message of support, writing: “I always knew the world would be a more colorful, positive, sparkly place with a kind, loving, dazzling triple threat like you in it – a shining example for the kids out there to live their BEST lives each and every day. *You put your heart on the platter! (If you know you know) Love you kiddo!!! Keep making me proud,” Miller shared on Instagram.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Abby Lee Miller (@therealabbylee)

Miller’s Cancer Battle

In April 2018, Miller was diagnosed with Burkitt Lymphoma, a form of rare and aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma. “This disease may affect the jaw, central nervous system, bowel, kidneys, ovaries, or other organs. Burkitt lymphoma may spread to the central nervous system (CNS),” according to Lymphoma.org.

Miller treated the disease and rebuilt her strength through physical therapy. In an earlier interview, Dr. Wicker-Ramos spoke about the importance of physical therapy, saying, "Exercise improves your circulation, which improves wound-healing.” After complications from spinal surgery, which Miller needed due to complications from her lymphoma, she began using an electric wheelchair.

Dr. Angela Wicker-Ramos explains how a personalized physical therapist can help patients recover after cancer treatment

Keeping a Positive Mindset Through Cancer

Miller appeared to remain upbeat throughout much her cancer battle and even continued teaching dance from her hospital room. This kind of focus on the good, and staying connected with what brings you joy through the cancer battle, can be very beneficial.

Dr. Zuri Murrell, a colorectal surgeon at Cedars-Sinai, said in an earlier interview how important it is to stay positive, as Miller has done. He said, “My patients who thrive, even with stage 4 cancer, from the time that they, about a month after they’re diagnosed, I kind of am pretty good at seeing who is going to be OK. Now doesn’t that mean I’m good at saying that the cancer won’t grow. But I’m pretty good at telling what kind of patients are going to still have this attitude and probably going to live the longest, even with bad, bad disease. And those are patients who, they have gratitude in life.”

Stay Positive, It Matters

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