Derek Hough, Hayley Erbert, and Dr. Mai in Washington, DC.Photo:Derek Hough/Instagram
Derek Hough/Instagram
Derek Houghand wifeHayley Erberthonored the doctor who saved her life — exactly one year after she underwentemergency brain surgeryfor a brain bleed.Erbert, 30, suffered a near-fatalcranial hematomafollowing their Symphony of Dance tour performance in Washington, D.C., last year and underwent anemergency craniectomy, which is surgery to relieve pressure from the pooling blood.And on Dec. 5, they returned to the same stage to not only perform, but to thank the brain surgeon who saved Erbert’s life.“It’s been exactly one year since Hayley almost lost her life,” Hough, 39, wrote in theInstagramcaption for a video he shared Dec. 6. “We returned to the very same stage, the same room where we once felt so much fear and uncertainty. A place where I stood frozen, terrified, praying for a miracle.”Hayley Erbert and Derek Hough in Los Angeles in June 2024.Rob Latour/Shutterstock“But tonight, we changed the story of that room. We transformed it, from fear to beauty, from uncertainty to faith, and from despair to triumph.”In the video, Hough brought up Dr. Jeffrey Mai, whom he explained, “This was the man that was there at three in the morning that saved Hayley’s life.”“I could not be more thankful for this man right here,” Hough said, as his wife put her head on Dr. Mai’s shoulder.“He was there, he gave us comfort, he gave us assurance, he gave us love,” theDancing with the Starsjudge continued, his voice breaking with emotion. “And I just cannot be more thankful to have you here, so much.”To the tune of Journey’s“Don’t Stop Believing,”Hough asked the crowd to “give it up” for his wife and Dr. Mai.As he wrote in his caption, “Having Dr. Mai, the man who saved her life, standing on that stage with us made it all the more powerful. We got to share a moment on stage thanking him for the gift of more time, more memories, and more love.”Hough continued: “This year has taught us so much about grace, how the more we acknowledge it, the more we experience it. Beauty is all around us if we open our eyes to it, and faith can guide us even in the darkest moments. I’m so grateful to Hayley, she has blown me away with her resilience, strength, courage and pure elegance in how she has moved through this experience. I am in awe everyday.”“To the team at MedStar Washington Hospital for their care, and to all of you who’ve supported us along the way. One year later, standing on that same stage, we know this: life is fragile, love is everything, and we are stronger than ever.”Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Derek Houghand wifeHayley Erberthonored the doctor who saved her life — exactly one year after she underwentemergency brain surgeryfor a brain bleed.
Erbert, 30, suffered a near-fatalcranial hematomafollowing their Symphony of Dance tour performance in Washington, D.C., last year and underwent anemergency craniectomy, which is surgery to relieve pressure from the pooling blood.
And on Dec. 5, they returned to the same stage to not only perform, but to thank the brain surgeon who saved Erbert’s life.
“It’s been exactly one year since Hayley almost lost her life,” Hough, 39, wrote in theInstagramcaption for a video he shared Dec. 6. “We returned to the very same stage, the same room where we once felt so much fear and uncertainty. A place where I stood frozen, terrified, praying for a miracle.”
Hayley Erbert and Derek Hough in Los Angeles in June 2024.Rob Latour/Shutterstock
Rob Latour/Shutterstock
“But tonight, we changed the story of that room. We transformed it, from fear to beauty, from uncertainty to faith, and from despair to triumph.”
In the video, Hough brought up Dr. Jeffrey Mai, whom he explained, “This was the man that was there at three in the morning that saved Hayley’s life.”
“I could not be more thankful for this man right here,” Hough said, as his wife put her head on Dr. Mai’s shoulder.
“He was there, he gave us comfort, he gave us assurance, he gave us love,” theDancing with the Starsjudge continued, his voice breaking with emotion. “And I just cannot be more thankful to have you here, so much.”
To the tune of Journey’s“Don’t Stop Believing,”Hough asked the crowd to “give it up” for his wife and Dr. Mai.
As he wrote in his caption, “Having Dr. Mai, the man who saved her life, standing on that stage with us made it all the more powerful. We got to share a moment on stage thanking him for the gift of more time, more memories, and more love.”
Hough continued: “This year has taught us so much about grace, how the more we acknowledge it, the more we experience it. Beauty is all around us if we open our eyes to it, and faith can guide us even in the darkest moments. I’m so grateful to Hayley, she has blown me away with her resilience, strength, courage and pure elegance in how she has moved through this experience. I am in awe everyday.”
“To the team at MedStar Washington Hospital for their care, and to all of you who’ve supported us along the way. One year later, standing on that same stage, we know this: life is fragile, love is everything, and we are stronger than ever.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
source: people.com
