Nettie: Warrior Princess

I have to tell you the story of an amazing warrior princess I met over 10 years ago. I met Anette Krause in 2010 at the University of Missouri Hospital. Nettie was a scrub tech in the O.R. and we'd get to talk between or after cases.  I was immediately taken with her quirkiness, humor, and honesty.  She not only told the best stories, but she was one of the hardest workers I knew. She was compassionate about her patients and wanted the best care for everyone who came through the door. She encouraged me during nursing school and begged me to come back to the O.R. after I graduated. I chose another path for nursing to begin with, but our work paths crossed again in 2014 when I joined the O.R. at Boone and had the pleasure of working with Nettie again. The one thing about her that EVERYONE knows is that her smile lights up a room. EVERY day I got to see her, it was an absolute joy!

In 2016, she shared with me that she was marrying the love of her life, Layla Hatef. I was fortunate to get to help them with planning their wedding; and I must say, it was one of the most loving and fun weddings I've ever attended. Layla and Nettie had their share of battles to make it to that point, but their love never wavered, ever. They have been each other's rocks through the ups and downs of life.

As everyone knows, life comes at you fast...although Nettie's has been a bit faster than most. In 2018, Nettie experienced some health issues that sidelined her from doing what she loved. She spent time working on her health only to recently begin experiencing unimaginable headaches. On Tuesday, November 17, she went to the ER at MU to see why she was continually experiencing these excruciating headaches. She wasn't prepared for what they told her. MRI results indicated she had a large tumor located near her brainstem and surgery was scheduled on Thursday, November 19. 

Her surgeon, Dr. Litofsky (a surgeon she worked with on a regular basis, doing the procedures he was going to have to perform on her) performed a craniotomy and removed most of the tumor. Pathology determined the tumor was aggressive and Dr. Litofsky recommended chemotherapy and radiation. Nettie is in the Neuro ICU at MU. She is recovering but she has left sided paralysis, it is believed due to the swelling. The medical team has been amazing with her care but she will be headed to Rusk Rehabilitation Center to get back on track to go home. Nettie is a fighter, the ultimate warrior princess!

In the mean time, her wife Layla is unable to visit her, due to COVID. Nettie will not be able to be home for Thanksgiving or to snuggle with her sweet pooch, Daisy. The road for these ladies is long and unknown. Layla is working with Nettie's caseworker to get things in place for her care when she returns home, but there will still be additional medical costs and care costs associated with her being home. 

Nettie is the type of person who would give you the coat off her back in the cold. I can't be there with them to help, so I wanted to do this for them. Please donate whatever you can if you feel compelled. We are so grateful for you reading this story and for your help! If you have other ways to help (want to volunteer to take to appointments, make food, walk their dog, please include a note). Thank you, from the bottom of my heart!