Derek Hough's Wife, Hayley Erbert, Breaks Silence Following Skull Surgery

Hayley Erbert, the wife of 'Dancing With the Stars'judge Derek Hough, has spoken out for the first time since her unexpected skull surgery.

As previously reported, Derek announced that his wife was diagnosed with a cranial hematoma which required an emergency craniectomy. While the 'DWTS' judge has spoken out about the emergency surgery, his wife has remained mum -- until now.

Hayley returned to social media on Monday, speaking out on her new "outlook on life."

The internet personality, who has been with Derek Hough since 2017, took to social media to address the long journey she has been through regarding the scary medical emergency.

"It's been quite some time since we've been on here, for good reason," Derek began to say 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," she said in the post. "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."

In December, the 'DWTS' judge announced that his wife was hospitalized for a cranial hematoma and underwent an emergency craniectomy in December, which is a collection of blood within the skull that creates pressure on the brain, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Following the first surgery, Hayley underwent her second cranioplasty surgery, which is commonly referred to as a neurosurgical procedure designed to repair or reshape irregularities or imperfections in the skull.

For those who do not know, cranioplasty is often recommended following a traumatic injury or to correct a birth defect. During surgery, the skull bones are repaired using either a bone graft or synthetic material.

"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."

The words of affirmation and support from Derek have meant the world to Hayley as she went through this difficult time 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,'" she said in the new video. "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."

After the surgeries, Hayley went on to say she 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 then added, "Life is so precious and just spend time with the ones you love. Hold them close, because you never know what could happy. I'm grateful for all the people who supported me through everything."