Abby Lee Miller has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
One day after Abby Lee Miller had to undergo an emergency surgery for a spinal infection, she has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma – cancer that develops in the lymphatic system. Dr. Hooman M. Melamed, who had also performed the surgery on Abby confirmed the news to People.
“It was not an infection, it was a type of a non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma – it’s a type of cancer,” he said. "We’re getting an oncologist involved and we have to figure out what the next steps are as far as chemotherapy or radiation or more spine surgery. Depending on the tumor type, depending on the sensitivity of the tumor – it just depends on the type but I feel more than yes, she will undergo chemotherapy or radiation.”
Yesterday (April 18), Abby was rushed to the emergency room after she experienced “excruciating neck pain” and weakness in her arm. Following an MRI scan, it was revealed that the 'Dance Mom' star would need an immediate surgery. Hooman disclosed that Abby's health kept getting worse as days went by. Over the next two days, her condition started deteriorating,” he said of the time when Abby was in Cedar Sinai Marina Del Rey Hospital.
"Not just her pain, but her weakness started getting worse. In the span of 24 hours, which was something that I have not seen, her condition rapidly deteriorated. She was completely paralyzed from the neck down," he said at that time. Hooman also admitted that Abby was going to die had the surgery not been done in time.
“We did a CT and we saw what appeared to be an infection that had spread from the bottom of her neck all the way to the lower part of her back… which is extremely unusual,” he said. “If we didn’t do something, she was going to die. Her blood pressure was bottoming out. She was not doing well." He added that he had no idea that Abby's health will deteriorate so fast.
Last time Hooman had stated that Abby was recovering slowly after having the surgery done. He stated that she was able to feel some sensation and that was a good sign. However, he believes “We’re still not out of the woods.” “There’s a chance this can spread to any part of the body … this is probably coming from somewhere else,” he said. “We don’t know where the source is. Any tumor that spreads anywhere is automatically Stage 4, but we have not determined the stage yet.” Abby is currently still recovering from the surgery in the I.C.U.