Derek Hough Shares Video Update on Wife Hayley Erbert After "Life-Threatening" Skull Surgery

Derek Hough is reflecting on his wife's "miracle" healing process.

Hayley Erbert was hospitalized Dec. 6 following the couple's Symphony of Dance tour performance in Washington, D.C., and had to undergo emergency skull surgery due to a burst blood vessel.

Derek, 38, is now giving insight on the "challenging journey" they've experienced since Hayley's "life-threatening" medical event.

"It was a time filled with uncertainty and fear, going from living our dreams onstage, to a nightmare in an instant," the Dancing With the Stars judge wrote on Instagram Dec. 15 on behalf of the couple. "But today, we are filled with hope and relief as we share with you an update."

He posted a video of the 29-year-old wearing a headpiece, a sherpa jacket, sweatpants and Ugg boots, as they walked arm-in-arm by the Washington Monument in the U.S. capital. 

"Hayley is doing well," Derek noted in the caption. "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."

The goal of the second procedure is to restore the natural shape of the skull and protect her brain from injury, according to the dancing pro. 

"Thank you for the incredible support and medical care she has received," he continued. "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."

Expressing his gratitude to friends and fans alike, Derek shared, "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."

His sister Julianne Hough was among the first to send her love, commenting in a message to Hayley, "Our Wolverine Viking Warrior Princess!" 

For a look back at Hayley and Derek's love story, waltz through these photos.

Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert meet back in 2014 when she performed on his and sister Julianne Hough's tour. A Dancing With the Stars producer is impressed with Hayley and she is called to interview to join the show's troupe, getting the job the following year, according to the Hutchington News. Also in 2015, she and Derek begin dating.

The two begin going out to public events, including at the 2016 premiere of the Tony Robbins Netflix documentary I Am Not Your Guru.

The duo get glammed up for a star-studded night out.

The dancers make their red carpet debut as a couple at the Television Academy's 2017 Choreography Peer Group Celebration at Saban Media Center in North Hollywood, Calif.

Hayley joins Derek as his date for the Creative Arts Emmys, where he was nominated for Outstanding Choreography for his work on Dancing With the Stars.

The two attend the star-studded Casamigos Halloween Party.

Hayley joins Derek as he hosts The Americana at Brand shopping mall's Christmas tree lighting event in Glendale, Calif.

The two attend the Hollywood premiere of Solo: A Star Wars Story.

The couple steps out at HBO's post-Emmys celebration.

They aren't pumping the brakes as they attend the premiere of Netflix's El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie.

The two pose for pics at the Elton John AIDS Foundation's Oscar viewing party.

Feeling festive, they dance on the special to ring in the Christmas season.

The two are all smiles at the premiere in Los Angeles.

The partners appear at the Creative Arts Emmys, where Derek wins Outstanding Choreography for Variety or Reality Programming for his work on Dancing with the Stars.

The two dance as they arrive at the 2022 Elton John AIDS Foundation Oscars viewing party.

They look top tier on the red carpet.

Hayley flashes her engagement ring at the Critics Choice Real TV Awards.

The two get cozy at the launch of the Disney-Pixar film.

The couple honeymoon in Italy following their Aug. 26, 2023 wedding in California.

Derek was by Hayley's side as she underwent emergency skull surgery due to a burst blood vessel. "It was a time filled with uncertainty and fear, going from living our dreams onstage, to a nightmare in an instant," he wrote on Instagram over a week later. "Her recovery process has been nothing short of a miracle."

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