Hayley Erbert, the 30-year-old professional dancer, took to Instagram to share her reflections on a challenging year following a medical emergency. Her post, marking the one-year anniversary of her emergency surgery for a cranial hematoma, conveyed a mix of emotions, highlighting the personal struggles and growth she experienced.
“I have never experienced more struggle and heartbreak in my life while simultaneously feeling so much growth, love, and purpose,” she wrote, accompanying her message with a video montage. She continued, expressing gratitude for all the moments—both the difficult and beautiful—that shaped her journey.
Erbert’s heartfelt post also served as a tribute to her resilience, saying, “This year was far from easy, but it was so necessary.” Her words reflected her acceptance of both the hardships and the lessons learned along the way. She concluded with an optimistic note, looking ahead to the future and carrying these lessons into the next chapter of her life.
The video accompanying Erbert’s post was set to Coldplay’s “Fix You,” evoking an emotional journey of her recovery. It showcased her triumphant return to the stage alongside her husband, Derek Hough, moments of tenderness between the couple, and the highs and lows of her healing process. The post quickly garnered support, with her sister-in-law, Julianne Hough, sharing her gratitude, and others, including Derek’s former Dancing with the Stars partner Amy Purdy, offering words of encouragement.
Derek Hough’s former Dancing with the Stars partner, Amy Purdy, expressed deep sympathy and admiration for the couple’s resilience, while Nina Dobrev commented, recognizing the emotional depth of the year.
This emotional reflection comes shortly after Hayley and Derek returned to the same Washington D.C. venue where Hayley had been rushed to the hospital exactly one year earlier. At the time, she had been diagnosed with a cranial hematoma from a burst blood vessel and underwent an emergency craniectomy, a life-saving surgery. Derek had shared the news on social media, revealing the fear and uncertainty that gripped him during that period.
“It’s been exactly one year since Hayley almost lost her life,” Derek wrote in a social media post, alongside a video of their performance at the same stage. He recounted how returning to that room, once filled with fear, allowed them to transform it into a space of beauty and faith. The couple invited Dr. Mai, the doctor who saved Hayley’s life, to join them on stage to celebrate this milestone.
Derek reflected on the profound impact of the experience, writing, “We changed the story of that room. We transformed it, from fear to beauty, from uncertainty to faith, and from despair to triumph.” He praised his wife for her strength, resilience, and grace throughout the ordeal, stating he was “in awe” of her ability to face such adversity with elegance.
In closing, Derek shared a powerful message of love and strength: “One year later, standing on that same stage, we know this: life is fragile, love is everything, and we are stronger than ever.” The couple’s emotional journey highlights the power of love, faith, and resilience.
