X is for Xyster and Other Strange Words

     I have to admit that up until now I haven't  had too much trouble coming up with daily memories for the A - Z Challenge.    Notice I said, up until now.  Today is X and X nearly put an end to me successfully fulfilling the challenge.    There are not a lot of words that begin with X and most of them that do are not exactly words that you can work into a normal conversation, or story.  But not to be outdone by a simple X, I have picked out 3 words beginning with X and the memories associated with them.

1.  Xanadu

     I love this word.  It just sounds fun.  The dictionary defines Xanadu as an idyllic, beautiful place.  What could be better?  Most of you will probably remember the movie, Xanadu, starring Olivia Newton-John.  But where is your Xanadu?  I would have to say mine is the beach around sunset or at daybreak when it is quiet and you can walk along the surf looking for shells.  To me that is the most peaceful and beautiful place on earth.  That being said, my best memory of my Xanadu  would have to be when some friends and I stayed in a Bed and Breakfast on Tybee Island, GA. and walked along the beach at dawn looking for seashells.  

2.  X-ray

     Most everyone has had some type of x-ray during their lifetime, so to most of you probably not a big deal.  For me, it's a pretty big deal.  I have had so many x-rays in my lifetime that it is a wonder I don't glow in the dark.  Who knows, I may have some hidden super radiation powers that I haven't discovered!  Without going into a lot of detail, lets just say that 10 surgeries along with so many CTs, MRIs, ultrasounds and regular x-rays that I've lost count puts me in the category of way too many x-rays for one person.  Needless to say, most of my memories associated with x-rays are not good ones.

3.  Xyster

     This was an interesting word I found in the dictionary that I could connect with.  It is defined as a surgical instrument for scraping bones.  Even though I can't say I ever personally saw this instrument I feel very safe in saying it has been used on me several times.       I have degenerative disc disease, cervical spondylosis and stenosis in my spine which has resulted in five back surgeries.  In the first two surgeries doctors trimmed part of a disc in my lower spine and scraped the vertebrae  surrounding it to make room for nerves which were being pinched.  The third surgery was total removal of what was left of the deteriorated disc and fusion with a metal cage (screws and rods).   Fourth surgery was a metal fusion of 2 deteriorated disc in my cervical spine and to scrape out around the spine to slow progression of stenosis.  17 months later the fifth surgery was necessary because of a spot that didn't fuse properly after the first cervical spine surgery.   More metal fused to my spine.   I can say with a fair amount of certainty that a xyster was used in each of these surgeries.  By now the doctor may have one with my name on it!

     So that is my words for  X.  Hopefully Y and Z will be a little easier and more fun.

Until next time...that's my view.

Kat