Having some fun along the way

Dad was not too excited about biking, but once he got out there he really enjoyed it. He came back with a huge smile on his face!! Mom and I were glad that he got out and had some fresh air and was able to have fun doing something out of his chair :-)

The cooking was an assignment for Occupational Therapy. He wheeled to Safeway and got the groceries a couple of days before. Then he knocked everyone's socks off with the deliciousness that he cooked up! Most people make things like hamburger helper or chocolate chip cookies. Not Paul Dixon. He made pork tenderloin stuffed with proscuitto, dijon, and fresh herbs with an amazing vegetable summer stir fry on the side! For an extra project he had Mom and I make stuffed squash blossoms. Everything was a big hit! NO surprises there :-)

On Tuesday Dad stood up in a standing frame. He slowly pulls himself up in it with a lever and then stands for a while. Um, I think that it makes him even taller than normal because I don't remember him being THAT much taller than me! It was great to see him be able to do that and it is also really good for his legs to have some weight on them AND some circulation in those legs!

In addition to all of this, we went for a picnic by a lake and some other patients went out in canoes. Dad went swimming yesterday. Mom said he even wore his goggles and was actually swimming around in the pool, not just sitting on the bench in the water. GREAT! This Friday is "Hobie Day" when they take practically the whole hospital boating, sailing, and have a huge bbq. I hope that Dad and Mom enjoy that and maybe even get in a boat out on the water.

Overall, it was wonderful to finally be able to spend some time with Dad and with Mom!!! The planned release date in August 30th, so Dad still has some time to wrk with the therapists after he gets his brace off. No one really knows exactly when he will get his brace off.