The 'Dance Moms' star, who underwent rounds of chemotherapy and months of rehabilitation for Burkitt lymphoma, also says that she's hopeful that she can walk again soon.
- May 23, 2019
AceShowbiz - It's been a tough journey for Abby Lee Miller. After battling Burkitt lymphoma, the "Dance Moms" star has now revealed that she is cancer free.
"The cancer is completely gone," the 53-year-old said to PEOPLE while promoting an upcoming season of the hit Lifetime show. "I'm more than grateful. I'm thankful. I was always grateful but I think I must say 'Thank you' a hundred times a day because I have to rely on strangers; someone to open the door, someone to get the hanger off the rack at the department store, someone to pick up my phone if I drop it. How am I supposed to get it? I'm very grateful and thankful to strangers that have been so kind."
Abby, who underwent the emergency surgery for what was initially thought to be a spinal infection in 2018, was diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma, a form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The reality TV star then had to go ten rounds of chemotherapy and months of rehabilitation in order to walk again.
"I pushed through because I feel like I have more to do," Abby added. "I want to be an executive producer. I have three other shows and a cartoon that I've created. I want to do what I really do -- I create. I can make something magical and wonderful out of nothing. I do it every week."
Abby further shared her goals during the interview. "I have dreams and I want to see them come to fruition. I want to retire and want to be able to live out my days financially secure. That's what everyone wants," she explained.
Staying hopeful, Abby added, "If I can move, I can stand," while slowly moving her feet while in her wheelchair. "I'm supposed to stand three times a day for twenty minutes. I can take a right step because I can put my weight on my left knee then when I take a left step my right leg just crumbles because I need a knee replacement."
The star previously uploaded on Instagram a photo of a massive scar on her back after getting a spinal surgery a year ago. "One year ago today~ I underwent emergency surgery for an infection in my spine. This mass/tumor choking my spinal cord turned out to be Burkitt Lymphoma," so Abby wrote in the caption. "This mass/tumor choking my spinal cord turned out to be Burkitt Lymphoma."
