Hayley Erbert To Make Brave Return To ‘DWTS’ Post Brain Surgery

In December 2023, the professional dancer faced a medical emergency that led to brain surgery after she “became disoriented and was rushed to the hospital” during a stop on the “Symphony of Dance” tour in Washington, D.C.

Four months after emergency brain surgery, Hayley Erbert was medically cleared to return to the “Symphony of Dance” tour alongside her husband, Derek Hough.

According to a leaked lineup for Tuesday, October 15, Hayley Erbert is set to dance alongside her husband in an emotional tribute performance. This will be her first time returning to the “Dancing With the Stars” ballroom since her frightening medical ordeal.

“She was diagnosed with a cranial hematoma from a burst blood vessel and required an emergency craniectomy,” Derek shared on Instagram earlier this year.

In the weeks following the initial surgery, Erbert underwent a second procedure to replace a “large portion of her skull.”

In December, the “Dancing With the Stars” judge revealed that his wife had been hospitalized for a cranial hematoma and had to undergo an emergency craniectomy.

“At the end of last night’s tour performance in Washington, D.C., my wife Hayley became disoriented and was taken to the hospital,” he said in a statement at the time. “She is in stable condition. I want to thank the first responders and medical personnel who have cared for and continue to care for her.”

According to the Mayo Clinic, a cranial hematoma is a buildup of blood within the skull that causes pressure on the brain.

After the initial surgery, Hayley underwent a second procedure, a cranioplasty, which is a neurosurgical operation designed to repair or reshape irregularities or imperfections in the skull. For those unfamiliar, cranioplasty is often performed following a traumatic injury or to address a congenital defect.

During the surgery, the damaged skull bones are either repaired with a bone graft or replaced using synthetic materials.

“Her perseverance, her acceptance of the whole situation, her strength, it’s been remarkable to witness firsthand,” Derek said of his wife, adding, “She really is a miracle and it’s been miraculous and it’s still a journey.”

Derek’s words of affirmation and support have meant everything to Hayley as she navigated this incredibly challenging period in her life.

“I remember just looking at him and just saying, ‘You didn’t even have to tell me that, I can feel it,'” Hayley said following her surgery. “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 your messages, your love, your life, your prayers.”

“It’s been quite some time since we’ve been on here, for good reason,” Derek said before his wife spoke out.

“Here I am today. It has been quite the journey. There’s been so much that has happened in two months. Lots of emotions. All the things,” Hayley then said. “To this day, I still have really good days and really bad days. Emotionally and physically. But I’m doing so much better every single day. Like, truly, there is so much progress every day. I’m so grateful for that.”

After the surgeries, Hayley shared that she now has “a new scar. A new sack of fluid on the side of my face, which is supposed to eventually go away. I also got a new skull, also a new outlook on life.”

She added, “Life is so precious and just spend time with the ones you love. Hold them close, because you never know what could happen. I’m grateful for all the people who supported me through everything.”