Sarah's Guestbook

Sarah Robben  Thanks, Andrew! Going into Week 3 of recovery and am amazed at how the body is able to slowly heal itself. I'll be starting cardiac rehab next week which I'm excited yet nervous about. Any tips there? 

Andrew Dial  Cardiac rehab is going to really help in a big way. Some people brush it off but it’s gonna get a lot of your stamina back, strength, and just ease the heart back into being able to pump a little harder and start varying your BP a little, which is what it needs.

Sarah Robben 

Hi Donna, I’m so happy you said ADLs (Activities of Daily Living). It has been very eye-opening for me being a patient on the other side. I definitely have a greater appreciation and understanding of the difficulties and importance of completing ADLs (dressing, bathing, toileting, hygiene/grooming, etc.) at my prior level of function. Making small gains with each of these ADLs has really kept me going during recovery. 


Thank you for doing the work you do as a preschool special ed teacher! If your daughter has any questions or wants to talk OT please let me know!

Donna Casaletto  Aww you’re so sweet! I just shared your message with my daughter, Nicole and she said thank you so much! She’s in her second year. It’s a part time program which means she’s able to work full time yeah 👏but will have another 2 years before she finishes‼️Nicole did ask if you deliver services in patient or outpatient? Keep up with your little victories👏‼️I’ll be joining you soon 8 days away 😳😬🙈‼️

Sarah Robben 

I work in a skilled nursing facility which is essentially inpatient :) I work with both long-term care residents and short-term rehab patients who have just discharged from the hospital but who are not quite ready or safe to return home yet. I work with patients on ADLs, IADLs, transfers, functional mobility (walking), balance, and strengthening on a daily basis depending on their needs and preferences. It is a very challenging yet rewarding place to work. If Nicole has any interest at all, I would recommend she shadow an OT at a local skilled nursing facility :) 



Can’t wait for you to have your surgery so you can focus on your  recovery with your new and  improved heart! You got this, and we are all here supporting you!! 

Donna Casaletto  I’ll have my own personal OT in training pushing my ADL’s!! Thank you again for your encouraging words!! Your patients must adore you 🥰‼️

Sarah Robben  You guys will make a great team together! You are so welcome! Less than a week and then you’ll be on the recovery side!  

Ana Brusso  Sarah, I’m lifting you up in prayer for a successful surgery tomorrow and a smooth recovery. God bless you 🙏❤️

Sarah Robben  Thanks, Andrew! Do you have any advice on what items to bring to the hospital? What about advice to caregivers? 

Andrew Dial  Long phone charger would be the first thing! Haha. Tooth brush/toothpaste. A comfy blanket from home if you get cold. My wife brought me one and I needed it the entire time, I was cold! One of your pillows. 

I didn’t require a whole lot really. They supply a robe for you, which you’ll be in most the time. And I just ordered food when I was hungry, which for the first 4 days or so, I had ZERO appetite. The one thing I  started eating tho was Jello! Omg I was hooked on it lol. 

Advice to Caregivers: in hospital, make sure they’re paying attention to what medications are being given, cuz you’ll be getting them every few hours for the duration basically. At home, my wife was just here to help get me things like food, and go with me on walks. And helped with showers for the first few days. Get a shower chair w no arms. U will most likely be sleeping on your back so I had a wedge pillow. Getting comfortable will be tough for a few nights so having plenty of pillow and blanket choices is smart. People recommend a recliner but I don’t recommend. I didn’t need one at all. 

Klara Čičić  Dear Sarah, this was a subject very recently so please if you have time to scroll down a little....you will find the Infos from a lot of people. Unfortunately this site doesn't have subjects to click on and to always find informations like this at one place.

Susan Lynn  Sarah - Sending you positive thoughts and prayers for tomorrow. You're going to do just fine! We'll be awaiting your post-op good news!!

Pamela Gregory  Good luck Sarah! Sending my best your direction. Definitely bring a pillow and blanket from home. It was very comforting to me to have a few things of mine. Slippers too!