Derek Hough, known for his role on Dancing with the Stars, took to Instagram last Friday to share encouraging news about his wife, Hayley Erbert, following an “emergency craniectomy.” Gratefully acknowledging the outpouring of support, Hough described Hayley’s recovery as “nothing short of a miracle.”
Though optimistic about Hayley’s present situation, Hough emphasized that their journey is still ongoing. In the next weeks, he revealed his intentions for a second surgery in which he would replace the part removed during the first craniectomy with an implanted skull. The purpose of this extra surgery is to return the skull to its natural structure and provide protection for the brain.
Hough acknowledged that they had experienced uncertainty and concern over the last week and expressed her gratitude to the community for coming together to support them. After becoming engaged in June, the pair were married in August 2022 and expressed relief and hope when they heard about Hayley’s promising medical progress.
After an unforeseen and possibly transformative event, Hough emphasized the rapidity of transformation and the transient essence of existence. He stressed the value of both personal and collective resiliency in the face of adversity.
Despite a Christmas season that did not meet their expectations, Hough and Erbert were thankful for special occasions and a renewed respect for life and the people in it. The couple was shown in a heartwarming video wandering throughout Washington, D.C.’s National Mall, which is where Erbert initially noticed signs of a brain hemorrhage during a performance on their Symphony of Dance tour.
Derek Hough has kept well-wishers informed about Hayley’s condition and expressed gratitude for the support he has gotten ever since he first announced the news of her hospitalization and subsequent emergent surgery on December 7. Their journey serves as a moving reminder of the frailty of life and the resiliency that arises when faced with hardship.