Well, what can I say, the pain that had been gone for quite some time has came back with avengence. I truly can’t tell if it’s the arthritis pain (yep, that’s in my spine too) or stenosis pain. I’m leaning more towards the arthritis pain since it’s not radiating down my legs. I just hurt like hell. North Carolina is like much of the South this time of year. Hot as hell, Hell’s front porch setting as I like to call it, and humid. Something also classic about a North Carolinian summer is the rain. A chance of rain everyday that always produces a storm. Some of these can be severe, like the flooding in High Point and Chapel Hill or the many downed trees like nearby Winston-Salem. Here in the LA area of Davie County and my future home of Guilford County, particularly Greensboro, all has been quite for the most part on the severe storm activity. This summer has produced some crazy weather and it’s only the middle of July.

As far as the back pain goes, it gets better as the day goes on, which also leads me to also think that this is arthritis pain and not so much stenosis pain. Which, I will gladly take. It was the stenosis that was keeping me from walking and going to school. Which, I will get to the school front in a moment. When I went to the neurosurgeon, it was recommended that I start rehab. I’m happy to say that I have gotten in and am going to the same place that I rehabbed my knee post ACL surgery. And let me tell you, I freaking love those people! They are awesome! Now, I’ve only had one session so far but my new therapist is going to be cool too. I was told he was the back guy in the building. The specialist where back’s were concerned. That came from my therapist for my knee, so highly recommended as far as I’m concerned. I’ve been going to this place off and on for about 5 years (2 times for my knee, including my surgery and now my back) and they have always taken care of me. So, if any of the gang there see this, and you know who you are and where you work, I thank you for everything! So, I think once the rain stops or at least is a zero percent chance (which would mean light or misty rain) I think I’ll be ok. My back and knee need a break. So, Lord if you’re listening, help a daughter out!

Now, as far as my new adventure as a Spartan goes, my parking pass comes in the mail today. It’s about 3 weeks till the big move (which means 3 weeks till I turn 40) and I’m really starting to get excited. Tomorrow, everything will get billed to my account and I’ll know if I’m going to get a refund or have a balance on my student account. I don’t think there will be a balance, I’m just unsure whether or not I’ll get a refund. Of course, my car decided it wanted to break down about a week after I loaded it up.

My room was getting crowded with all the storage containers at the foot of my bed. Which means, that I would only have electronics, 3 of my pillows, a few pieces of furniture, and clothes to pack up into either my car or the truck that is going up there with me. August 1st, is what they call Stop, Drop, and Roll; which means I have 1 hour to unload my stuff into my apartment and if I have time, start unpacking. Once my time is up, that’s it. Now, the next week on August 8th (the day after my birthday) is the first day of Early Arrival. I’ve signed up for that and I will actually be able to start staying up there in my apartment. So, most likely, that’ll be when I’m able to start unpacking everything and setting up my room. I am so excited to be living on campus. It might seem weird for a 40 year old to be living on campus with people in some cases, 20 years younger than me, but I know little to nothing about Greensboro and I thought this was best way to go for my first year here. Besides, everyone seems to think I’m in my 20’s to early 30’s anyway. So what can this hurt.

My heart breaks for those in Texas, New Mexico, and (now I hear) Oklahoma that experienced and lost loved ones in the flooding. While I can’t imagine a river rising that fast, I do know people that lost their lives in the flooding in Asheville, almost a year ago, and come from an area where the slightest bit of rain floods downtown and is frequented by hurricanes. You are always in my prayers.

I’ll be updating every other week now while the pain isn’t too bad with the upcoming move and start of the academic year. I’ll update once more from home before going to my new home for the academic year. See ya next time!