Catherine Shoenfelt Support Fund

Hi. My name is Catherine and here is my story.

On January 8, 2016 I was diagnosed with cancer in both of my ovaries. I was diagnosed with a separate uterine cancer at the same time. Both were stage 1. I had 6 rounds of chemo. As we know, unfortunately, chemo can have complications, even as it can help save life. After the third chemo, I got cellulitis, plus shingles that spread to my left eye, forehead, and scalp. I was in the hospital for a week. A month after finishing chemo, I started having a lot of weakness in my muscles, severe neuropathy in both legs, and constant spasms in my back. The neurologist found that the small nerve fibers in my spinal cord were inflamed, causing spasms. I was in OT and PT for 3 ½ years.

Hurricane Harvey did so much damage to my house in Houston that I could not keep it. I decided to move back to San Antonio, where I grew up. Shortly before I moved, my car was rear-ended by a truck. He pushed me down the road and fled. I had therapy for damages to the discs in my neck and back. Then Covid hit.

All during Covid, my part-time job supervising medical transcriptionists dropped from 35 hours a week to 8 hours a week. Then, on May 27, 2022, my hours dropped to nothing. I had long-term disability insurance from July 3, 2016 until July 3, 2021. I have been looking for a full - time job since I came to San Antonio, to no avail. A cousin and a few friends have blessed me with money periodically.

I have an appointment with Social Security, but my payments will not be enough to live on, as rent is sky-high now. You have to make 3 or 4 times the rent to qualify for housing.

In addition to all of this, unfortunately, I had a cancer recurrence—this time to stage 4. In January 2021, my gyn oncologist found tumors in both of my lungs. We were not sure whether this was a recurrence of the ovarian or uterine cancer for most of the year. The first chemo I tried at that time did not work for me, so I was referred to the Director of Clinical Trials. He sent a specimen from my lung biopsy to a lab in Los Angeles. It indicated the cancer is ovarian.

I started the trial December 2, 2021, and finished on December 30, 2021 with the first round. The next day. I developed blisters on my left hand. I was hospitalized on January 4, 2022; my muscles were getting weaker. I got Covid in the hospital. I was in isolation and asymptomatic for respiratory complications. Covid affected my legs. On February 16th and 18th I fell and was on the floor 2 ½ hours each time. I called for an ambulance and was in the hospital and rehab hospital for a month. I came home in a wheelchair and not walking. Therapists came to my hotel room. I have not been able to get an apartment or house due to high rent. I had to learn to walk again.

I have been living off the settlement from my car accident since July 2021. But that is running out. I was going to use the money to fix my car, but had to use it to live on now.

I recently got food stamps. Most agencies I have called are out of money because of Covid.

My doctors want me to do 15 radiation treatments to my lungs now but I have no means to live on or to keep my Medicare and supplemental insurance. There is a cost for Medicare, deducible and cost for supplemental insurance. Medicare Advantage not accepted at MD Anderson.

I have worked hard all my life and never expected to end up in such dire straits. Unfortunately, safety nets I have needed for my health crises have not been available. I need help with finding affordable housing. It would also help me to have some work and income, of course—whatever I am able to do given my health issues at this time. And I need financial help in paying my bills during this very hard period. I believe that with the generosity of my community and with my faith in God, I can get through this.

I appreciate any help you can give to help me meet my living expenses. Even a small amount helps. Thank you.