“New year, new skull.”
Derek Hough’s wife, fellow professional dancer Hayley Erbert, says she’s “grateful to be alive” as she speaks out for the first time since undergoing an “emergency craniectomy” in December.
Sporting a new buzzcut due to the procedure, Erbert, 29, and Hough, 38, directly addressed the camera in an Instagram video posted Monday, updating fans on her health after receiving a second surgery before they end of 2023.
“It’s been wild going from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows,” the “Dancing with the Stars” pro-turned-judge said.
“But I have to say, throughout this experience this woman has been unbelievable and her perseverance and her acceptance of the whole situation, her strength, it’s been remarkable to witness firsthand. She really is a miracle and it’s been miraculous and it’s still a journey.”
Erbert added, “To this day, I still have really good days and I have really bad days — emotionally and physically sometimes — but I’m doing so much better every single day. Truly there is so much progress every day and I’m so grateful for that.”
On Dec. 7, Hough shocked fans when he announced Erbert was hospitalized with an intracranial hematoma diagnosis — a collection of blood within the skull. He revealed she had become “disoriented” after a performance on their “Symphony of Dance” tour.
In Monday’s video, Erbert recalled waking up from her first surgery to Hough telling her how many people were cheering her on.
“I remember just looking at him and saying, ‘You didn’t even have to tell me that. I can feel it.’ Like I genuinely felt that through my body, in my heart, in my soul,” she said as they both became emotional.
“Thank you all so much for all of your messages, your love, your energy, your light, your prayers,” Erbert said through tears. “Thank you guys for all of it because it means so much to me and to us as a family.
“And genuinely, I believe it’s what’s gotten me through this a little bit faster and it’s what helped me heal,” she added. “It’s what helped me stay positive throughout the entire experience.”
In good humor, Hough continued, “It’s a new year, it’s a new haircut.”
“A new haircut, a new scar,” Erbert laughed, looking down to show fans the large incision on top of her head. “A new sac of fluid on the side of my face, which is supposed to eventually go away,” she revealed, stroking her right cheek.
“I also got a new skull, but also a new outlook on life,” she said. “Life is so precious. Spend time with the ones you love. Hold them close cause you never know what could happen.”
She added that she is “grateful to be alive and be here to tell my story.” The couple, who married in August after seven years of dating, also said they will “eventually” share more details of “what went down.”
Many of Hough’s “DWTS” co-stars both past and present showed their support in the comments.
“You’re our miracle!!!” pro dancer Jenna Johnson wrote.
“So much love and healing for you both! Stay strong and be strong together! Love you both,” Maksim Chmerkovskiy added.
“Also! You are the most stunning human inside and out!” Lindsay Arnold said of Erbert’s new ‘do.
“Love you both so much . Your strength and grace is amazing,” Kim Johnson-Herjavec added.
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