Hayley Erbert claims she keeps 'medical team around' while dancing after undergoing emergency surgery

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Hayley Erbert Hough is shedding light on her health journey after a harrowing medical emergency in December 2023.

In a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, the 30-year-old dancer spoke candidly about the road to recovery following her emergency surgery for a cranial hematoma, an alarming condition where blood collects in the skull.

Hayley Erbert 'listens to her body' after emergency Craniectomy

The situation was so dire that it required an emergency craniectomy, a surgery that involves removing part of the skull to relieve pressure, as per People reports.

Reflecting on how her life has changed since the surgery, Erbert said, “I just listen to my body. Being a dancer, I feel like I’m really in tune with my body.”

She also revealed that she still has a medical team supporting her as she takes care of her health post-surgery.

By her side through this ordeal has been her husband, Derek Hough, the 39-year-old 'Dancing with the Stars' judge and professional dancer.

While Erbert seems confident in her ability to return to dancing, Hough admits he’s still on edge about her well-being. “I’m the one who I’m like, ‘What, what?’” he shared with ET.

Erbert echoed the sentiment, teasing that Hough is the one with the nerves. “It’s true, he’s the one with the nerves,” she said.

To that, Hough continued, “'We don’t need to do that',” but Erbert reassures him, often responding with, “Babe, I can do that.”

Despite his worries, Derek acknowledged how much Hayley puts his mind at ease.

Hayley Erbert rushed to hospital for a brain bleed during ‘Symphony of Dance’ tour

Their medical scare happened during the couple’s 'Symphony of Dance' tour while they were in Washington, DC.

Erbert was rushed to the hospital for a brain bleed, a terrifying moment that Hough recalled during a video package on 'Dancing with the Stars' earlier this month.

He emotionally described the shock of seeing Erbert in the middle of a life-threatening emergency.

“It just all came to a screeching halt in the most devastating way,” Hough said, remembering how Hayley was supposed to join him on stage but never did.

"I was on stage, and she's supposed to come out. The stage manager walked out and just said, 'Hey, she's not coming on stage.'

She was on the side of the stage having full seizures and, essentially, dying. It's really hard to even put into words other than just pure fear."

Derek Hough opens up about Hayley Erbert’s emergency brain surgery

Derek Hough detailed the race to the hospital, where Hayley Erbert, still dressed in her dance costume, underwent emergency surgery.

“The doctor came to me and he said that, 'She has a severe brain bleed, so we have to operate right now',” Hough recalled as per Variety.

“‘He said that she might not make it and that even if she does make it, she won't be the same person.’”

Despite the traumatic experience, Erbert has made a remarkable recovery and even returned to the 'Dancing with the Stars' ballroom on October 15 for an emotional performance with Hough.

Their story of resilience and love has touched many, and the couple is set to share more about their journey in an upcoming documentary, set to release in 2025.

“Jason Bergh, he’s an award-winning filmmaker,” Hough explained.

“He came into the studio, just kept filming, kept coming with us to hospital visits, came out on the road with us, and really captured the entire journey ‘cause it’s really powerful, it’s really beautiful, and it’s amazing.”