Last night, I was all wrapped up in pounding out a research paper at my dining room table. When I stood up to get my late-night comfort food (chips and salsa, but of course), I felt a sharp pain – and it wasn’t the “boy, am I ready to be done with this paper” kind. This time, it was physical, in the middle my back.

I tried bending over – nope. Wasn’t gonna happen. Not thinking it was a big deal, I took some Ibuprofen and went to bed.

But when I woke up this morning for my 8 a.m. class the pain was still there. I hobbled across the street to the Schuster Theatre, where my professor gave me a once-over and told me to hobble back across the street to the health center to get checked out.

Since I’m from Erie, I typically see my family doctor in town. Prior to this, I had only been to Gannon’s Health Center one time in November to pick up some cough drops – so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect.

I was greeted by three incredibly kind, caring nurses and didn’t even have to set foot in the waiting room before someone could take me back. I walked between the cheery, pale yellow walls to the exam room, where the nurse answered all my questions thoroughly and in a way I could understand. She gave me a diagram with a bunch of back stretches, a timeline for when I should be taking Ibuprofen and the number of a local chiropractor.

Most of all, though, she gave me a smile – and told me it’ll get better. I gained a greater appreciation for how Gannon makes sure we college students stay well.

Be on the lookout for further coverage of the Health Center – and its brand-new facilities, as of Fall 2009! – here at Edge 🙂