It’s the Simple Things: Knee replacement success

Three weeks ago, I had my right knee replaced — a common occurrence these days, thanks to innovative medical advancements. I’m grateful to Northwest Specialty Hospital, Dr. McInnis, Physician's Assistant Travis Headley, nurse navigator April McGuire, the Orthopedic Physical Therapy Institute and many others, as I’m walking comfortably and expect to be cycling, swimming and mowing the lawn soon.  

In the process of reading about knee replacements, I learned the following about the first successful transplants. 

• Kidney transplant — 1954

• Lung transplant — 1963

• Pancreas and kidney transplant — 1966

• Liver and heart transplant —1967

• Total knee replacement —1968

• Hand transplant — 1998

• Full-face transplant — 2010!

Kids ask Artemis astronauts questions

The four personable Artemis astronauts, who were clearly a deeply connected team, have made themselves generously available for appearances and questions after their 10-day trip around the back side of the moon.  

Last week I listened to “The Daily” podcast that focused on kids asking questions of the astronauts. Kids’ questions are often fresh! Here are a few examples: 

Q: Do you have special training to do CPR in space?  

A: Yes!  Because we’re weightless, we would have to brace our back against the ceiling in order to exert force on the chest of the person needing CPR. 

Q: Can you still see stars in outer space?

A: Not as many as I thought, because there is so much illumination from the sun. 

Q: Do you see a crescent Earth like we see a crescent moon?

A: Yes, you see a crescent Earth, a half Earth and a dark Earth. 

Q: What does it take to become an astronaut?

A: Curiosity about nature! Persistence! Being a good teammate. Humility, hard work and supporting the people around you.

Q: Do astronauts have to eat broccoli? 

A: Our food is magnificent! Yes, we ate broccoli. We also ate beets, tortillas, kale salad, pizza — and mac and cheese! We have to hydrate our food or it floats away. 

Q: Were you scared or lonely? 

A: I was flying with three friends, so I wasn’t lonely. I did have fear in the back of my mind because of how far away we were.

A: I didn’t feel lonely, but I felt a longing for Earth. Space is empty!

Q: What does it feel like to sleep upside down in space?

A: There is no upside down. It all feels the same. The floor and the ceiling can be the same. 

Q: How do you poop or pee in space? Does the poop go up or down? 

A: There is no gravity, so we sit on a container that creates suction, like a vacuum cleaner. We have a private toilet which handles poop and pee and it is emptied in space. 

Q: What was the most beautiful thing you saw?

A: Earth! Our planet looks alive! The atmosphere, which makes it possible for us to survive, is a slim layer around Earth. 

Q: Did you see the Earth differently as a result of this mission? Did it make you think about what really matters in life?

A: We talked about all of the different people on Earth and how those differences are what makes us great. We talked about joy and that our purpose on this planet is to lift each other up. That’s nothing new.  

A: I want to give you homework. When you see something new blooming from the ground, stop and look at it!  The simplest thing can be the most amazing thing you’ll see all week. 

And of course …

Q: Are there aliens out there? 

A: There may be trillions of galaxies. So it’s hard to fathom that there isn’t alien life out there.

Musical Reconnection

While watching my favorite "Jeopardy" program, I learned that the female singer/actor who has sold the most music in the past 50 years is Barbra Streisand!   She’s been quiet in the past couple decades, so this inspired me to que her up on Spotify. Wow! 

I was treated to “The Way We Were,” “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers,” “A Star is Born" and I’m still listening. 

Streisand has won two Academy Awards, 10 Grammys … and on and on. But perhaps her most significant contribution is that she has donated tens of millions of dollars to support educational, environmental and human rights issues. 

Barbra Streisand is 84 years old. 

Local high-rise construction

I know some people are irritated by the downtown construction. I find it fascinating. And since I live downtown, I have daily opportunities to drive or cycle down Sherman Avenue and Northwest Boulevard and check on the progress of the Marriott Hotels, the Thomas George condominiums and the Sherman Tower, across from The Coeur d'Alene Resort. Sometimes I just sit and watch. 

I am amazed by …

• the complexity of the design work by the architects and engineers. 

• the planning by the project managers to have the correct materials arrive at the right time. 

• the knowledge and skills of the construction workers.

• the significant danger of working at those heights, among cranes and heavy machinery and unpredictable moving parts. 

• Sometimes I get to chat with one of the construction workers. They’re celebrities to me.  

Endangered Species Day

The World Wildlife Fund reminded me that Friday, May 15, was Endangered Species Day. Many of our wildlife and plant species are threatened with extinction and need our protection to ensure their survival. I feel a gut-punch from the impact on the fragile balance of life on Earth when I hear of a species going extinct. 

One amazing thing about our world

There is no Roman numeral for zero.

Quote on life

“You never change your life until you step out of your comfort zone; change begins at the end of your comfort zone.” ― Roy T. Bennett

• • •

David Groth retired in 2016 after 37 years in elementary education. His last 17 years, the favorite part of his career, were spent teaching fifth grade and juggling at Sorensen Magnet School of the Arts and Humanities. He has lived in Coeur d’Alene since 1982 and has always appreciated the people, the geography, the climate, the rivers and lakes, and the simple things that make days special.