It's done!

I was so incredibly nervous going into surgery yesterday. A few times I almost backed out, but the Lord was mindful and sent me tender mercies to give me courage.

I was lucky--they only had to remove the right lobe of my thyroid! There is a chance the left lobe will need to come out next week, but we're praying I'm all done.

Things went really well with the surgery (I think. I can't remember talking to my doctor afterward, but Spence talked to him). We were able to go home after only a couple of hours. I'm not in too much pain, although my throat is pretty sore and this bandage on my neck is TIGHT! Tomorrow we'll meet with Dr. Money to check on things.

I am SO grateful for the Lord's hand in my life. There must be a reason why we discovered the nodule when we did. Hopefully having my thyroid removed will positively impact my health!!

My family has been amazing through all of this. My parents helped calm me down, talked through my worries, and stayed with Spencer during the procedure yesterday. Spencer's family came to visit yesterday and we've received flowers, dinner, gift baskets, and the like from family and ward members. We are so blessed!!

Spencer has been so wonderful in working through this with me, and now he takes care of me perfectly and sweetly. He is so good!!

I bought myself some new PJs and a couple of 5th graders made me that tape bracelet!

I am a Riley, I can do hard things!!

Into the Fire

This song has been my theme song for the past couple of months. Literally, I listen to it almost every morning. I LOVE it. Part of my love for the song has to do with my love for the story line of the show (Scarlet Pimpernel) but the other part of my love has to do with the message of courage.

With my thyroid surgery looming large on the horizon of tomorrow, I am absolutely terrified. I am listening to this song about once an hour. Like I said, I LOVE it.


David walked into the valley
With a stone clutched in his hand
He was only a boy
But he knew someone must take a stand

There will always be a valley
Always mountains one must scale
There will always be perilous waters
Which someone must sail

Into valleys, into waters
Into jungles, into hell
Let us ride, let us ride home again with a story to tell
Into darkness, into danger
Into storms that rip the night
Don't give in, but give up
But give thanks for the glorious fight

You can tremble, you can fear it
But keep your fighting spirit alive boys
Let the shiver of it sting you
Fling into battle, spring to your feet boys
Never hold back your step for a moment
Never doubt that your courage will grow
Hold your head even higher and into the fire we go 

Are there mountains that surround us?
Are there walls that block the way?
Knock 'em down, strip 'em back boys
And forward and into the fray

Into terror, into valour
Charge ahead, no, never turn
Yes, it's into the fire we fly
And the devil will burn

Someone has to face the valley
Rush in, we have to rally and win boys
When the world is saying not to
With God, you know you've got to march on, boys
Never hold back your step for a moment
Never doubt that your courage will grow
Hold your head ever higher and into the fire we go 

Let the lightning strike
Let the flash of it shock you
Choke your fears away
Pull as tight as a wire
Let the fever strike
Let the force of it rock you
We will have our day, sailing into the fire

Someone has to face the valley
Rush in! We have to rally and win boys
When the world is saying not to
With God, you know you've got to march on, boys
Never hold back your step for a moment
Look alive! Oh, your courage will grow
Yes, it's higher and higher and into the fire we go
Into fire!
Onward, ho! 


Wish me luck...like my students keeps reminding me, tomorrow I will come out of surgery with less mass inside of me. At least they're understanding some part of our matter unit...