Hayley Erbert made a heartfelt return to Dancing With the Stars on October 15th, performing alongside her husband, Derek Hough. This emotional moment comes nearly a year after she faced a life-threatening medical emergency that changed everything for the couple.

In a moving pre-performance segment, Derek shared the frightening details of the incident that occurred last December during their Symphony of Dance tour in Washington, D.C. “I was on stage, waiting for her to come out, when the stage manager told me she wasn’t coming,” he recalled. “She was having full seizures and was essentially dying. It was terrifying.”

Haley was rushed to the hospital, where doctors diagnosed her with a severe brain bleed requiring immediate surgery. Derek described the devastating prognosis: “They told me she might not make it and that even if she did, she wouldn’t be the same person.” The following day, he faced the heartbreaking sight of Haley missing 40% of her skull, yet she recognized him and showed signs of her spirit.

Determined to recover, Haley fought through the odds, despite doctors warning she might never walk again. “I was stubborn and determined to dance again,” she shared. Her resilience led her back to dancing in March, and by April, she returned to the Symphony of Dance tour, expressing her gratitude on Instagram for being back on stage with Derek after such a tumultuous period.

Her triumphant performance on DWTS stands as a testament to her strength, love, and passion for dance. As she and Derek took the stage, the emotional weight of her journey resonated, inspiring audiences everywhere. Hayley’s return reminds us all of the power of perseverance and the incredible support of loved ones during life’s toughest challenges.