Derek Hough's Wife Hayley Erbert Shares Her Skull Surgery Scar
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Originally appeared on E! Online
Hayley Erbert is sharing her new look.
The professional dancer posted an update on her recovery from cranial hematoma due to a burst blood vessel, revealing that she has both a "new haircut" and "new scar" at the top of her head two months after undergoing skull surgery. With her brown hair buzzed short, Hayley was joined by her husband Derek Hough as the two recounted her health journey in an emotional video.
"In the beginning of December, I had an emergency craniotomy. Then, a couple of weeks later, I had a cranioplasty," Hayley began on Instagram Feb. 5. "It's been quite the journey. There's been so much that has happened in two months."
The 29-year-old continued, "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."
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Holding back tears, Hayley said what "got me a little bit faster" through recovery was the outpouring of support she received from fans, friends and family alike.
"It's what helped me heal," she shared. "It's what helped me stay positive throughout the entire experience."
In fact, Hayley even joked about the "new" sac of cerebral spinal fluid on her face, which she said is "supposed to eventually go away."
"Right now, it's still there," she said with a laugh, poking at a bulge on the side of her face. "I also got a new skull, but also a new outlook on life."
Noting that "life is so precious," Hayley urged fans to "spend time with the ones you love, hold them close 'cause you never know what could happen."
She added, "I'm just grateful to be alive and to be here to tell my story."
And for Derek, this experience opened his eyes to a new side of Hayley.
"It's been wild going from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows," the Dancing With the Stars judge shared in the video. "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."
Thanking their supporters during this difficult chapter, Derek added, "I'm just so thankful for everybody and this woman for being unbelievable and impressing me each day."
For more of Derek and Hayley's love story, keep reading.
October 2015: Hayley Joins <i>Dancing With the Stars</i>
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.
July 2016: Derek & Hayley Step Out
The two begin going out to public events, including at the 2016 premiere of the Tony Robbins Netflix documentary I Am Not Your Guru.
September 2016: Creative Arts Emmys Governors Ball
The duo get glammed up for a star-studded night out.
August 2017: Red Carpet Debut
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.
September 2017: Emmys Date
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.
October 2017: Happy Halloween
The two attend the star-studded Casamigos Halloween Party.
November 2017: Christmas Tree Lighting
Hayley joins Derek as he hosts The Americana at Brand shopping mall's Christmas tree lighting event in Glendale, Calif.
May 2018: May the Force Be With You
The two attend the Hollywood premiere of Solo: A Star Wars Story.
September 2018: Emmys After-Party Date
The couple steps out at HBO's post-Emmys celebration.
October 2019: They Are the Ones Who Hug
They aren't pumping the brakes as they attend the premiere of Netflix's El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie.
February 2020: Oscars Party Date
The two pose for pics at the Elton John AIDS Foundation's Oscar viewing party.
November 2020: Disney Holiday Singalong
Feeling festive, they dance on the special to ring in the Christmas season.
August 2021: <i>Respect</i> Premiere
The two are all smiles at the premiere in Los Angeles.
August 2021: Emmy Winner
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.
March 2022: Oscars Party Dance
The two dance as they arrive at the 2022 Elton John AIDS Foundation Oscars viewing party.
May 2022: <i>Top Gun: Maverick</i> Premiere
They look top tier on the red carpet.
June 2022: Engaged
Hayley flashes her engagement ring at the Critics Choice Real TV Awards.
June 2023: <i>Elemental</i> Premiere
The two get cozy at the launch of the Disney-Pixar film.
<p>August 2023: Just Married and Honeymoon</p>
The couple honeymoon in Italy following their Aug. 26, 2023 wedding in California.
<p>December 2023: In Sickness and in Health</p>
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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