While Sharing Health Updates, Hayley Erbert Shows Skull Surgery Scar

Derek Hough’s Hayley Erbert provided an emotional update on her recovery, including her “new scar” and haircut, two months after undergoing skull surgery for a cerebral hemorrhage caused by a ruptured blood artery.

The professional dancer shared an update on her recovery from a cerebral hematoma caused by a burst blood vessel, adding that she now has a “new haircut” and a “new scar” on the top of her head two months after undergoing skull surgery. Hayley’s dark hair was cut short, and she was joined by her husband Derek Hough as they chronicled her health struggle in an emotional video.

“In early December, I underwent an emergency craniotomy. “Then, a few weeks later, I had a cranioplasty,” Hayley said on Instagram on February 5. “It’s been quite a ride. “So much has happened in two months.”

The 29-year-old went on, “To this day, I still have very good days and pretty awful days—emotionally and physically sometimes—but I’m getting so much better every day. Every day, I see so much development, and I’m glad for it.”

Holding back tears, Hayley said the outpouring of love from fans, friends, and family “got me a little bit faster” through her recuperation.

“It’s what helped me heal,” she explained. “It’s what helped me stay positive throughout the entire experience.”

Hayley even laughed about the “new” bag of cerebral spinal fluid on her face, saying it is “supposed to eventually go away.”

“Right now, it’s still there,” she laughed, pointing to 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 advised followers to “spend time with the ones you love, hold them close ’cause you never know what could happen.”

She went on to say, “I’m just grateful to be alive and to be here to tell my story.”

Derek’s encounter exposed him 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 said in the video. “But I have to say, this woman has been incredible throughout this journey, and her tenacity, acceptance of the circumstance, and courage have been astonishing to observe personally. She is truly a miracle, and it has been and continues to be a journey.”

Derek expressed gratitude to their supporters throughout this tough period, saying, “I’m just so thankful for everybody and this woman for being unbelievable and impressing me each day.”