For the first time since undergoing emergency surgery, Hayley Erbert and Derek Hough have shared a video speaking about her experience.
In the video, Erbert sported “a new skull,” a shaved head, and revealed the scar that runs along the cent of her head and the fluid sac that remains on the side of her face. Fluid, Erbert says, that will go away eventually.
Hayley and Derek both got emotional as the dancer recalled the moment she woke up after her first surgery. She explained that Derek was sitting at the foot of her hospital bed when he told her about all of the support she was receiving.
"There was a moment in the hospital when I had just woken up from my first surgery. Derek sat at the bottom of my bed and he said, 'Babe, there are so many people thinking about you, there's so many people sending love to you.' And I remember just looking at him and just saying, 'You didn't even have to tell me that. I can feel it,'" Hayley said before she and Derek got emotional.
"I genuinely felt that through my body, I felt it in my heart. I felt it in my soul. So thank you all so much for all of your messages, your love, your energy, your light, your prayers. Thank you guys for all of it. It means so much to me. And to us as a family. Genuinely, I believe its what got me through this a little bit faster. And it's what helped me heal and what helped me stay positive."
As Hayley continued, there is still more to share but when she is ready. "I'm just grateful to be alive and to be here to be able to tell my story."
After a whirlwind of a month, Derek Hough is being celebrated for his work. On January 7, Hough took home his fourth EMMY for one of the performances he produced on Dancing With the Stars. A dance he danced with his wife Hayley.
As he walked on stage to accept the award, Derek immediately got emotional. "Hi," he said to the audience with a shaky voice. "Exactly a month ago, I was in the hospital."
As Mamas Uncut reported in December 2023, after performing on their tour in Washington, D.C. Hayley suffered a medical emergency and had to undergo an emergency Craniectomy and later a cranioplasty to replace the peace of the skull they had removed. "A month ago was a life-changing moment that reminded me to really cherish and savor every moment," Hough continued in his speech. "What a stark contrast. I just flew in last night from D.C. So this is a nice welcome-home gift."
"I want to dedicate this to my beautiful wife," he continued. "Your strength and your courage this whole month has been unbelievable. You inspired me every day the way you excepted this moment and you surrendered.”
Hayley Erbert has shared her final video of 2023. And it’s an emotional one. Take a look:
“2023 was a year of the highest of highs and some life changing moments. I’m so grateful for the people in my life that have stood by me through it ALL. Cheers to a beautiful new year of new adventures, lots of love, and so much more life to live. ♥️”
UPDATE: On Christmas Day, Hayley Erbert Hough returned to Instagram after undergoing skull surgery.
The photo shows Hayley and Derek sharing a kiss while sitting by a Christmas tree. In the caption, Hayley wrote, "Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas! ????Cherishing the greatest gift of all.The precious gift of life and the love we share. Hold your loved ones close and treasure every moment. ♥️"
The post comes just three days after Hayley endured a successful skull reconstruction surgery. A Christmas miracle, indeed.
Update: Derek Hough is sharing another update on his wife’s recovery.
One day after Hayley endured reconstruction surgery on her skull, Derek is providing an update.
"With immense relief, gratitude and overwhelming joy I’d like to share that Hayley’s cranioplasty surgery has been successfully completed as planned," Derek wrote on Instagram. "My sincere appreciation goes to the exceptional medical team. Their expertise and steady hands were pivotal in this journey, ensuring a smooth and successful surgery. Especially Dr. Mai who not only performed the surgery but was also the one who saved her life 2 weeks ago."
"We are profoundly touched by the outpouring of support and prayers from each of you," he continued. "Your thoughts, prayers, and positive energy have been a source of strength and comfort for us during this challenging time. It’s truly heartwarming to know how much love and care surrounds us."
"This surgery marks a significant milestone in my wife’s recovery journey, and your support has played a crucial role in getting us here. We are filled with hope and optimism for the future, knowing she is on the path to a full recovery, surrounded by such a loving community. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for standing with us.
We love you. With heartfelt thanks and endless gratitude."
"I strongly believe all the prayers that have been sent with the intention and love of Hayley's recovery has helped so much. I can't thank you all enough," Derek wrote. "She is going in for surgery this morning to replace a large portion of her skull that was removed during her Craniectomy. Please keep her in your prayers as I believe the collective energy helped her through these past few weeks. We love you. We thank you."
For the first time since the scary health incident, Hough shared a video of himself and Hayley still in the D.C. area walking around the Washington Mall. While the video only showed the back of them, it revealed Hayley, arm and arm with Derek, while also wearing a protective helmet.
"As you all know, the past week has been a challenging journey for us due to a life-threatening event that suddenly came into our lives. It was a time filled with uncertainty and fear, going from living our dreams onstage, to a nightmare in an instant. But today, we are filled with hope and relief as we share with you an update."
As Derek continued, he wrote, "Hayley is doing well. Her recovery process has been nothing short of a miracle. She still has a ways to go with another surgery, hopefully in a few weeks, to insert a skull implant to replace the piece that was removed during the craniectomy. It will restore the skull to its natural shape and protect the brain from injury."
"Thank you for the incredible support and medical care she has received. It’s been a profound reminder of how fragile life can be and how quickly things can change. But, it has also shown us the incredible strength and resilience that lies within us and the power of having a supportive community around us. We cannot express enough gratitude to each of you for your unwavering support, messages, prayers and undeniable loving energy we have both felt during this time. While this isn’t the holiday season either of us envisioned, it’s one that we’re incredibly grateful to have. We look forward to cherishing these moments with a deeper appreciation for life and the people in it.
Hayley has always inspired me with her will, her strength, and her resilience and no more so than in the last 48 hrs. She is now on the long road of recovery. Words cannot express how grateful and thankful we are for the support and love that you have given us.
The kindness that we've been shown in this incredibly unfathomable, and life changing time is immeasurable. The offers of assistance that have poured in have been so humbling and appreciated. Our hope is that as a family, we can somehow and someway pay it forward.”
People are praying for Dancing With The Stars’ judge Derek Hough’s wife.
In a statement shared by Hough himself, his wife, Hayley, who is a fellow professional dancer was hospitalized after their most recent show in Washington, D.C.
“At the end of last night's tour performance in Washington D.C., my wife Hayley became disoriented and was taken to the hospital,” Hough wrote in the statement he shared on Instagram. “She was diagnosed with a cranial hematoma from a burst blood vessel and required an emergency craniectomy.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, “an intracranial hematoma is a collection of blood within the skull. It's usually caused by a blood vessel that bursts in the brain. It may also be caused by trauma such as a car accident or fall. The blood may collect in the brain tissue or underneath the skull, pressing on the brain.”
Thankfully, as Derek wrote in his statement, Hayley “is in stable condition. I want to thank the first responders and medical personnel who have cared for and continue to care for her.”
Derek concluded his message by asking “for your prayers and positivity during this time.”
This is a developing story. Mamas Uncut will update this article as new information becomes available.
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