Derek Hough's wife Hayley Erbert gave her first update on her condition after undergoing an emergency craniectomy and subsequent skull repair on Monday.
The 29-year-old dancer, who was spotted in Los Angeles days earlier, was joined by her 38-year-old husband in the short video they shared together on Instagram.
Hayley looked shockingly different to how she did before her health scare as her long brunette locks were shorn and made way for a chic pixie cut.
She also gave her viewers a look at the long scar that stretched across her head. It arose from surgeries that released pools of blood from a hematoma that was pressing on her brain and subsequently replaced part of her skull that had to be removed.
“It was wild going from the highest highs to the lowest lows. “But I have to say, this woman was incredible throughout this entire experience and her persistence and her acceptance of the whole situation, her strength, it was remarkable to witness it first hand,” Derek said alongside his wife. “She truly is a miracle and it was a miracle and it’s still a journey.”
Derek Hough's wife Hayley Erbert gave her first update on her condition after undergoing an emergency craniectomy and subsequent skull repair on Monday. The 29-year-old dancer was joined by her 38-year-old husband in the short video they shared together on Instagram
Hayley added that things still ebb and flow for her as she still has “really good days” and “really bad days,” “both emotionally and physically at times,” although she said that she ” “every single day” is getting better.
“Really, there is so much progress every day and I am so grateful for that,” she added.
Hayley looked back at the time she woke up in hospital after her first operation, when her condition was still uncertain.
She said her husband told her that so many people in her life and among her online fans were thinking about her, but she said it was like she already knew that because she already “really through my body.” “I felt it in my heart, in my soul.”
As her eyes grew increasingly blurry, Hayley thanked her fans for “all your messages, your love, your energy, your light, your prayers.”
“Thank you so much for everything because it means so much to me and to us as a family. “And really, I think it's the reason why I got through it a little quicker and helped me recover,” she continued through tears continued. “This helped me stay positive throughout the entire experience.”
Hayley then gave her followers a closer look at her surgery scar, which would likely be completely covered by her hair as it continued to grow out.
“It's a new year, it's a new haircut,” Derek joked of the stylish, vibrant look.
She added that in addition to the new haircut, she had a “new scar” as well as “a new bag of fluid on the side of my face that is supposed to go away at some point.”
Hayley also said she had a “new skull,” although it was unclear whether a synthetic material was used to replace the removed part of her skull or whether part of her original bone was reattached.
She added that the frightening near-death experience gave her a “new outlook on life.”
“Life is so precious.” Spend time with those you love. “Hold her tight because you never know what could happen,” she said.
Hayley concluded with another emotional note, saying she was “grateful to be alive and here to tell my story.”
Derek signed off after saying that he and his wife would share more details about her condition and recovery in the future.
Derek announced on December 7 that his wife was hospitalized after suffering a cranial hematoma while they were performing on their Symphony of Dance tour in Washington DC
Hayley revealed the scar along her skull, which would probably be completely hidden if her hair had grown a little longer
She also said that she now has a bag of fluid on the side of her face but that it should go away
She added that the frightening near-death experience gave her a “new outlook on life.” “Life is so precious.” Spend time with those you love. “Hold her tight because you never know what could happen,” she said
Derek announced on December 7 that his wife was hospitalized after suffering a cranial hematoma while they were performing on their Symphony of Dance tour in Washington DC; sen in March 2022 in West Hollywood
A cranial hematoma occurs when blood accumulates “in the brain or between the brain and the skull,” according to the Mayo Clinic.
“At the end of last night's big performance in Washington, DC, my wife Hayley became disoriented and was taken to the hospital,” he wrote.
“She was diagnosed with a cranial hematoma due to a ruptured blood vessel and underwent an emergency craniectomy.” “Her condition is stable,” he added.
“I want to thank the first responders and medical staff who have cared for her and continue to care for her.” “I ask for your prayers and positivity during this time,” Hough added.
Hough then revealed the next day: “Hayley has always inspired me with her will, strength and resilience and no more so than in the last 48 hours.” “She is now on the long road to recovery,” he wrote.
The “Dancing With The Stars” judge then spoke about the gratitude he felt for all the well-wishes his fans had sent him.
“Words cannot express how thankful and grateful we are for the support and love you have given us,” he said.
“The kindness shown to us during this incredibly incredible and life-changing time is immeasurable,” he wrote.
He concluded: “The offers of help that have come in have been so humbling and appreciative.” “Our hope is that as a family we can pay it forward somehow, some way.”
On Christmas Day, Hough shared a photo of them kissing by their tree, along with an update on their recovery.
“Treasure the greatest gift of all.” The precious gift of life and love that we share. Hold your loved ones close and cherish every moment,” he captioned the picture.
A cranial hematoma occurs when blood accumulates “in the brain or between the brain and the skull,” according to the Mayo Clinic
She is seen here in Washington, DC, walking with Derek shortly after her first surgery as her recovery began
Erbert's medical emergency comes almost a year right after she and Hough were involved in a “scary” car accident.
At the time, she told her social media followers that they had been in a “pretty scary car accident in the mountains” on December 12, 2022.
She went on to describe the horrific elements of her accident: “Our accident involved a steep hill, icy roads, a tree and worst of all: the fear that we would slip off the mountain.”
“The scariest thing was that Hayley doesn't remember anything,” Derek shared in the comments section at the time. “She was dazed afterwards and cheerfully said we should go on to dinner while blood streamed down her face.”
“This really scared me,” Hough wrote. “She came to 20 minutes later when the fire department arrived.”
Earlier this year, the lovebirds married during a beautiful ceremony in a magnificent forest of sequoia trees.
Celebrities in attendance included Frieda Pinto, Amy Purdy, Maria Menounos, Shawn Johnson, Nina Dobrev, Shaun White, Robert and Kym Herjavec, Alfonso Ribeiro and of course Derek's sister Julianne Hough.
According to Brides, the duo exchanged vows in front of 106 guests.
“At the end of last night's big performance in Washington, DC, my wife Hayley became disoriented and was taken to the hospital,” he wrote. “She was diagnosed with a cranial hematoma due to a ruptured blood vessel and required an emergency craniectomy.”
Erbert's medical emergency comes almost a year right after she and Hough were involved in a “scary” car accident (seen last year after the accident).
Last year, the lovebirds married during a beautiful ceremony in a magnificent forest of redwoods; seen in 2022
Hough and Erbert kicked off their tour on September 28, 2023, a month after they tied the knot (seen in 2022).
“He's definitely going to cry. I know that for a fact,” Derek's wife joked before the ceremony.
She added: “Honestly, both of us. We're going to make a mess!'
The rehearsal dinner was just as elegant as the ceremony itself: wedding guests were first entertained and entertained at Carmel for a welcome dinner, followed by a rehearsal dinner the next day, with many of the details planned by the brunette beauty herself.
Hough and Erbert kicked off their tour on September 28, 2023, a month after they tied the knot.