GUEST COLUMNIST A LETTER FROM METHODIST HOSPITAL WOMEN'S SPECIALTY UNIT Editor's Note: The following letter was written by the Methodist Hospital Women’s Specialty Unit team. It demonstrates the deep connection between our patients and caregivers.
OUR UNICORN Nastasia Mancini Kotkova, a name the staff here at the Women’s Specialty Unit will never forget. She was a unicorn! She was a patient you hear about but rarely see! She was born to Gerardo Matta Mancini and Elena Kotkova on January 10, 2002 in Cancun, Mexico. She always had a smile on her face and lived each day with such joy, energy, and vibrancy. She was a proud Latina who spoke four different languages! Nastasia loved the Spurs, Lilo & Stitch, and her friends! She was a fashonista and an avid Tik Tocker. She had the best personality. Nastasia grew up with many loving friends and family. She’s traveled the world and had seen so much that many of us would dream of! She was living life!
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Nastasia first came to us in 2019 after she was diagnosed at age 17 with ovarian cancer. She had gone through surgeries and many treatments. Unfortunately, the cancer had shown itself again. Her parents brought her to us with such emotions that parents go though seeing their child fighting for their life and not having the ability to take it all away. They learned we were truly there for Nastasia and all their family. We all became a team fighting for her! During times of her treatments, we claimed room 244 as her room. We became closer to her and her family than any other patient we’ve come across. From then on until April 16th, 2021, she taught us many things, personally and professionally, as individuals and as a team. On WSU, we meet many brave women battling unspeakable hardships, but Nastasia
