Guest Columnists: A Letter from Methodist Hospital Women's Specialty Unit

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! 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

was one of the youngest at only 19-years-old. However, she handled everything with a grace that was astounding to see in such a young lady. Nastasia never complained. Nastasia never lashed out. Nastasia never questioned, “Why me?”. As Dr. Carlos Diaz-Velez had said, “we often found ourselves comforted by her. Her strength and fierceness inspired and has really brought WSU together to help in fighting alongside her.” There are truly no words that can express the honor we felt while taking care of Nastasia. Her family became a part of ours. Her fight became our fight! Nastasia’s dream was to become a nurse and to do this alongside us on WSU. She saw each of us provide the best care we could day by day and wanted to be able to give back as a nurse herself.

In her final week, Dr. Joseph de la Garza, Dr. Carlos Diaz-Velez, and the staff on WSU were able to make her an Honorary Registered Nurse graduating from our Women’s Specialty University! She and her parents were provided with a framed certificate and badge with her picture on it. Her mother cried with tears of joy. Nastasia loved it! Her room was filled with gifts, flowers, and people she loved all the time! It was two days later that heaven called for their angel to grace their presence. All our hearts were broken at once, and the tears still pour from our memories. We are privileged that Gerardo and Elena chose us to care for their daughter and allowed us to be a part of her life. There will never be another Nastasia! Your WSU family loves you Nastasia. We will never forget your spirit. You will always be in our thoughts and in our hearts!

With Love and Gratitude, -The Women's Specialty Unit