Lifestyle Health Derek Hough Reveals Wife Hayley Is on ‘Long Road of Recovery’ after Emergency Craniectomy The dancer was hospitalized for a burst blood vessel that caused bleeding in her skull By Angel Saunders Angel Saunders Angel Saunders has been a writer at PEOPLE since 2023. She’s previously worked at iHeartMedia, IndieWire, and REVOLT. People Editorial Guidelines Published on December 9, 2023 12:03AM EST Close Hayley Erbert and Derek Hough. Photo: Steven Simione/Getty Derek Hough is showing his gratitude for all who have extended well wishes for his wife Hayley Erbert’s recovery. “Words cannot express how grateful and thankful we are for the support and love that you have given us,” the Dancing with the Stars judge, 38, wrote in an Instagram update on Friday. Derek Hough gives an update on his wife Hayley Erbert. Derek Hough/ Instagram Hough has always been inspired by Erbert’s “strength, and her resilience,” especially in the last 48 hours, he wrote. “She is now on the long road of recovery,” he said, referring to her recent health crisis after a Washington, D.C. stop on their Symphony of Dance tour. The 29-year-old is recovering from an "emergency craniectomy." Derek Hough’s Wife Hayley Erbert Underwent An Emergency Craniectomy — What to Know About the Brain Surgery “The kindness that we've been shown in this incredibly unfathomable, and life changing time is immeasurable. The offers of assistance that have poured in have been so humbling and appreciated,” Hough continued on Friday. “Our hope is that as a family, we can somehow and someway pay it forward.” Earlier in the day, the television personality’s sister, Julianne Hough, asked fans to keep Erbert lifted in prayer. "Please pray and send all your love, healing and light to Hayley and Derek 🙏," the Dancing with the Stars co-host, 35, wrote on her Instagram Story. "Thank you from the depths of our families hearts!❤️" Derek Hough, Hayley Erbert and Julianne Hough. Neilson Barnard/Getty Her post followed Hough's initial announcement on Thursday that Erbert was being treated for a cranial hematoma — a condition that occurs when blood collects in the skull. “At the end of last night’s tour performance in Washington, D.C., my wife Hayley became disoriented and was taken to the hospital,” he wrote. “She was diagnosed with a cranial hematoma from a burst blood vessel and required an emergency craniectomy. She is in stable condition.” “I want to thank the first responders and medical personnel who have cared for and continue to care for her. I ask for your prayers and positivity during this time,” Hough added. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Past and present co-stars of the dance competition series, including Peta Murgatroyd, Jenna Johnson, Allison Holker and Candace Cameron Bure, offered their support in Hough's Instagram comment section. Jennifer Love Hewitt added, “Haven’t stopped praying and won’t stop. So glad you have each other and beautiful families to help her and you. Sending you all healing and love ❤️.” Hough and Erbert recently tied the knot in August after they got engaged in June of last year. Hayley Erbert and Derek Hough. David Livingston/WireImage The couple’s end of summer wedding was held in Monterey County, California, in front of 106 guests. "We're in a redwood forest, but we got married right in front of this mother tree that's surrounded by all these smaller trees," Erbert told PEOPLE at the time. "They drop all the seeds, and it plants kind of like an army of children to protect the mother. The symbolism of it was beautiful. We're here, planting our seeds to grow our family."