Entertainment

Abby Lee Miller's Cancer Battle: A Timeline of Her Road to Recovery

EntertainmentPublished Aug 15, 2018
By Bethany Quinn
Abby Lee Millertherealabbylee/Instagram

Abby Lee Miller has faced her fair share of controversy since Dance Moms debuted back in 2011. The dance coach and choreographer has helped to bring fame to many of her former students and perhaps a bit of infamy upon herself. Fans were shocked when she was arrested for bankruptcy fraud in 2017. Abby Lee Miller was forced to leave her hit show and was sentenced to serve one year and one day in jail. She was released early for good behavior with fans happy to hear of her subsequent transfer to a halfway house -- only to be shocked again after the reality star revealed she was diagnosed with non-Hodkin's lymphoma. (Abby thought she was suffering from an infection in her spine only to find out it was something much more serious.)

Abby has been chronicling her cancer battle on social media with fans constantly showing nothing but support. Since her diagnosis in April, Abby has been through many ups and downs -- including grueling rounds of chemo, spinal taps, and being wheelchair bound for the past few months. While it's quite heartbreaking to witness, Abby has the support of her many fans and former co-stars and appears to be upbeat and positive while battling such a serious illness. From inspiring posts to silly ones, Abby has been keeping us well informed as well as entertained throughout her fight. She might have been the reality star people loved to hate (she was known for her sometimes rude and borderline abusive words toward her students) but now she is the reality star we are all routing for.

Here's hoping for a full recovery and that we get to see her back on the small screen soon. Click through for a look at Abby's journey with cancer and her road to recovery.

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A Scary Diagnosis
therealabbylee/Instagram

A Scary Diagnosis

Back in April, doctors diagnosed Abby with Burkitt lymphoma, a rare form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, after an emergency surgery for what she thought was a spinal infection. Abby shared a photo of her the aftermath of her surgery writing, "This gives a whole new meaning to being stabbed in the back!"

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Giving 'Thanks'
therealabbylee/Instagram

Giving 'Thanks'

After news of Abby's diagnosis started to make the rounds, Abby took to Instagram to express her gratitude to those who helped her. "So much gratitude and love for those who listened, those who looked deeper and those who leapt into action," she wrote in her Instagram post. "So much more I wish I could say .... about how quickly your life can change at the hands of others. Thanks for [prayers and love]."

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A 'Good Prognosis'
therealabbylee/Instagram

A 'Good Prognosis'

"People who have been diagnosed with this have a good prognosis," Dr. Melamed, Abby Lee Miller's physician, once told Entertainment Tonight exclusively about Abby's cancer prognosis. "She will need another surgery in her spine but she has a lot more movement in her arms, legs and toes."

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Chemo, Take Three
therealabbylee/Instagram

Chemo, Take Three

On June 1, Abby shared with her followers that she was starting her third round of chemotherapy. "Happy Friday!!! I should be planning a weekend of fun in the sun at the pool! There’s nothing I enjoy more than swimming and a good tan!" she wrote in her Instagram post. "Instead, I start round 3 of chemo .... another battle that I must win!!!"

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Fun in the Sun-placeholder
Fun in the Sun
therealabbylee/Instagram

Fun in the Sun

Abby was able to enjoy a little time outdoors on June 2. She posted this photo to Instagram with an inspiring message. "Going outside to feel the sun on my face was wonderful!!!" the Dance Moms star mentioned in her Instagram post. "Kids, never take anything in this world for granted! It can all change so suddenly! The Brilliant Dr. B cleared me for sunning this afternoon! Woo Hoo! Thank you sir!"

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Keeping Fans In The Loop
therealabbylee/Instagram

Keeping Fans In The Loop

Abby often posts pictures from the hospital to keep her fans and followers up-to-date on her progress. In the beginning of June, she revealed that she underwent an MRI and might need another surgery. Abby also shared that she is filming two projects!

"After another 2-hour MRI this morning, the pros thought I needed one more quick little emergency surgery! Ugh! I’m in recovery now and texting so everything must be ok,just hiccups in my plans!" she confessed in her Instagram post. "I'm on a tight schedule; shooting two projects and I need to get out of here and on with my life!!! Please keep me in your prayers. I'm grateful for all the well wishes!"

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Special Visitors
therealabbylee/Instagram

Special Visitors

Since entering the hospital, many of Abby's former students and Dance Moms co-stars have paid her a visit. "I guess it doesn’t matter where I am or what I'm doing the kids always migrate right toward me! I guess I'm more fun than their moms! LOL!," Abby wrote on the 'Gram, alongside a picture of her and former Dance Moms participants, Maesi Caes and Elliana Walmsley.

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Another Surgery
therealabbylee/Instagram

Another Surgery

After her emergency surgery in April, Abby underwent a second surgery in June. She took to Instagram, posting a picture of her back with more than a few stitches -- writing, "After the 2nd surgery, My back is finally on the mend. I just wish the top section & bottom would hurry along too! I had 52 staples perfectly aligned and now a bunch of crazy stitches are holding my neck & lumbar region together!"

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'Fall Risk'
therealabbylee/Instagram

'Fall Risk'

Abby posted this photo on June 25, showing a photo of a bracelet that reads "FALL RISK." "If I could FALL, I would CRAWL to the MALL!" she captioned in her post.

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'Can't Walk At All'\
therealabbylee/Instagram

'Can't Walk At All'\

Shortly after Abby posted her "FALL RISK" pic, many outlets began reporting that Abby was no longer able to walk and will be wheelchair-bound indefinitely. "Her mind is so sharp, but she can't move her legs. She has no mobility at all," a source told Radar Online about Abby's inability to walk. "She is going crazy. Everyone around her is encouraging her and making her feel like there is hope, but it’s not looking promising for Abby Lee to walk again."

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Remaining Upbeat
therealabbylee/Instagram

Remaining Upbeat

Despite the seriousness of her condition, Abby is remaining upbeat and continues to post positive images on social media -- like this one. "Monday morning on the mat, I've got this week like that!!!" Abby Lee wrote in her Instagram post.

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Fifth Round of Chemo
therealabbylee/Instagram

Fifth Round of Chemo

In July, Abby took to Instagram to share that she would be beginning her fifth round of chemo that night. Many fans commented with their support, writing, "I love you stay strong," and "you're strong, Abby! keep fighting."

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Celebrating With Friends
therealabbylee/Instagram

Celebrating With Friends

Despite reports in July that Abby's condition was worsening, the reality star posted a pic with a friend, making a celebratory toast. "#TacoTuesday," she wrote in her Instagram post. "Relax everybody! The beer is for picture purposes only!!! I needed something to toast and my coke/no ice and water/ with ice had not arrived yet! I’m trying to enjoy life's little celebrations with my friends!"

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A Sixth Spinal Tap
therealabbylee/Instagram

A Sixth Spinal Tap

On August 12, Abby shared with her fans that she was undergoing her sixth round of chemo via a spinal tap. "The procedure is complete! I pray this is the last time someone sticks a 10[-inch] needle into my spine!" she wrote in an Instagram post.

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Walking Again
therealabbylee/Instagram

Walking Again

Shortly after her sixth spinal procedure, Abby shared an uplifting photo of her trying to walk with the help of a machine. "Just put one foot in front of the other & soon you'll be walking out of the door!" she wrote in her post for the 'Gram.

We sure hope so!

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A Reality Comeback?
therealabbylee/Instagram

A Reality Comeback?

It appears Abby Lee Miller will be returning to Dance Moms for season eight. A source revealed the news, and it looks like she's ready to begin casting new talent as a post on the DanceMomsCasting.com site revealed the reality star is looking for dancers to train in her company and star on the show, Entertainment Tonight reports.

We can wait to see Abby's triumphant return to reality television!

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