The 'Dancing With the Stars' pro offers an update after his wife suffered a cranial hematoma earlier this month.
Derek Hough is calling on fans for healing prayers amid wife Hayley Erbert's ongoing recovery from a brain bleed earlier this month. On Tuesday evening, the 38-year-old Dancing With the Stars judge offered an update on Erbert's upcoming surgery.
"I strongly believe all the prayers that have been sent with the intention and love of Hayley's recovery has helped so much," Hough wrote on his Instagram Story. "I can't thank you all enough. She is going in for surgery this morning to replace a large portion of her skull that was removed during her Craniectomy. Please keep her in your prayers as I believe the collective energy helped her through these past few weeks. We love you. We thank you."
On Dec. 6, Erbert was rushed to the hospital after she became "disoriented" during a performance on the couple's Spectacular Symphony of Dance Tour in Washington, D.C.
"She was diagnosed with a cranial hematoma from a burst blood vessel and required an emergency craniectomy," Hough shared with his followers at the time.
According to the Mayo Clinic, a cranial hematoma is "a collection of blood within the skull. It's usually caused by a blood vessel that bursts in the brain. It may also be caused by trauma such as a car accident or fall. The blood may collect in the brain tissue or underneath the skull, pressing on the brain. Some head injuries, such as one that causes only a short period of unconsciousness, can be minor. However, an intracranial hematoma is potentially life-threatening. It usually requires immediate treatment. This might include surgery to remove the blood."
Days later, Hough shared that "Hayley has always inspired me with her will, her strength, and her resilience and no more so than in the last 48 hours."
He added that Erbert, 29, is "now on the long road to recovery," and that "words cannot express how grateful and thankful we are for the support and love you have given us."
Last week, Hough offered an update on Erbert's condition by posting a video -- set to the tune of "Chasing Cars" -- of the newlyweds walking alongside the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C.
The couple is bundled up on their stroll, which also shows Erbert wearing a protective helmet. In the lengthy caption, Hough shared that life has been challenging "due to a life-threatening event that suddenly came into our lives." He added that his wife is "doing well" but the 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," he added. "It will restore the skull to its natural shape and protect the brain from injury."
Hough then thanked everyone for their support, which has been "a profound reminder of how fragile life can be and how quickly things can change."
Erbert's medical scare comes just months after their picturesque California wedding and Italian honeymoon.
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