Donate to Shonte’s Cancer Recovery Journey

Hello! My name is Shonte and I’m a TBI (traumatic brain injury) and breast cancer survivor.

I am 47 years old, a mother of two wonderful daughters and a grandmother of two amazing grandsons. I am a Professional Driver/Chauffeur. I’ve been driving for almost 25yrs and enjoyed every minute of it.

I love and enjoy photography, singing, art, crafting, cooking, interior design, architecture, movies, bowling, games, theater and learning new things.

In May of 2019 at the age of 41, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor called a Meningioma. I didn’t know that I had a brain tumor. It was a very slow growing tumor and had been growing for years. I’ve seen many doctors over the years for headaches, severe vertigo and high blood pressure but the tumor wasn’t found until May of 2019. The tumor was benign but it had grown around my central nervous brain stem and was literally squeezing the life out of me. I could barely walk and breathe as if I had asthma.

On 9/11/2019 I had brain surgery to remove the tumor. Twelve and a half hours after the surgery, I came through completely paralyzed on the right side of my body. A few days later I had to have a shunt placed inside my head to drain the fluids that were building up in the brain. I had to have major therapy to regain my mobility and independence. It was quite the journey relearning how to do everything that I did before the surgery including learning how to breathe and eat on my own without tubes. Miraculously after 3yrs, I recovered and regained total and full independence by October of 2022.

Fast forward to Friday February 14th, 2025. Approximately six years after the discovery of the tumor, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I went in for my regular mammogram in November 2024 and it came back abnormal. I was supposed to have my second mammogram in December of 2024 but was too sick to make it to the appointment so I rescheduled. The next available appointment was on February 7, 2025 and I got the results on February 14, 2025 verifying that I had breast cancer. Some Valentine’s gift right but I refused to let it get me down cause I have to stay strong for my family. I have two daughters so I saw fit to have the genetic test done and I was negative for the gene.

My breast surgery was on 4/16/2025 and it was successful.

I am currently in active treatment and I have not been to work since the second week of April 2025. I have no current income coming in and I have exhausted all of my savings. Last month I reached out to a few organizations to help me with paying rent and bills. I’m currently healing and have been off work for a while. I’m not sure when I can return to work but I currently have no income coming in and I have exhausted all of my savings.

It’s hard for me to wrap my head around being in this situation and possibly losing everything I have. I’ve been working since I was fifteen and never thought that I would one day need to reach out to the world for help. I’ve always been independent and worked very hard to keep a roof over my head. Unfortunately, unforeseen circumstances happened and soon I will be facing possible eviction if I don’t have rent by the 3rd of June. On the 10th eviction papers will be drawn and filed against me. It will be very hard trying to heal while going through treatment knowing that I will be evicted from my home. A couple of months ago my vehicle went down from overheating. I was told that it needs a water pump. The car was given to me after I recovered from brain surgery. It’s a great running car, it’s just old. I was going to get it fixed but I had stopped working and I ran out of funds before I could get it fixed. Now, my daughters drive me everywhere. They have been so supportive through this whole process but I know that it hasn’t been easy for them. With uncertainty in their minds they are scared.

It hurts me to have to ask for financial help but I can’t let my pride stand in the way of asking for help to survive. So, I’m asking my community for help until I’m able to return to work. I need your support. Please help with whatever gift or donation your heart desires to give. No gift or donation is too small or too big because it’s more than what I have. Thank you in advance for all of your support!