you have a formica wall? we might need photos!

Not a good picture, but here goes. See the above edit

BTW my home has never had insulation.

So since you have to rip out drywall in places why not bite the bullet rip it all out, insulate and redrywall, a lot of that can be DIY then just get a pro to mud and tape there is a lot of damage in there that IMO needs to addressed because if water got in mould is sure to follow.

LOL--your talking to Senior with Lupus and other major health issues. There is no DIY or a budget to "rip out all of it". I know the back wall needs to be replaced, but unless I win the lotto a full re-do is not happening. BTW there is no toxic mold. Thank goodness.

Please show several more photos without the shower curtain. If you have a yardstick, you can show that for scale. How tall is the Formica panel?

Is the shower in daily use or is there another shower you are currently using?

Do you have a contractor?

No contractor, the Formica panel is 4 foot tall starting at the top of the tub, the rest above is sheet rock, No other shower, That is what I have the "back wall shower curtain" is there, Yes I have to use it. : > , If the Formic does completely fall off before I get this fix I will have it remounted with screws into the studs for temporary time. So far it has not slips down. That is why I need suggestions and guesstimations on prices so I can start to save up for the process, I am on a very tight budget. I can only do a little, not everything I would like. So safety first then much later esthetics.

Do you have home owners insurance? If so, have an adjuster take a look and see what they can do for you.

Unfortunately I have had a bad experience with "free labor". I have had damage done to my home in the 80's and the "helpful good samaritans" did more damage than good. It also cost me in repairs a lot more than what was actually needed. They kept coming up with more thing to repair that was not necessary ( I did not want) and they were not qualify to do they work they did. Electrical plug (not requested) caught on fire. Scary. I would rather save up and paid a qualify person than have "free labor".

I am sure this has not been the case for everybody else, but once burned -I don't touch the stove again. Good suggestion, but not for me. Sorry.

Insurance not an option. I have it but the deductible is extremely high. Basically -- i am as poor as a churchmouse. Also I have borrow to the max on everything to paid for my medical bills last year. Thank goodness I have medical insurance from work because I would be homeless.

Ouch, sorry about your predicament. I hope your health improves!

I'm a bit surprised that you have drywall (I guess it's now "wetwall") there. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, plaster was still preferred as the "premium" option. Drywall did get used more and more in the postwar housing boom, though, so it would make some sense here.

Your lower wall covering probably isn't Formica. More likely it's Marlite. Marlite is a water resistant panel product similar to tempered hardboard, with a medium-glossy printed face. I've seen it warp and bow in older bathtub surround installations, so you're not alone there.

Marlite is still on the market, but I strongly doubt that you'll be able to find a new panel that will match your existing pattern. That may not matter in the short term, though.

I understand that you have health problems, but if you can find a way to take a picture without the shower curtain in the way, that will help us evaluate the situation better.

All of that is a bandaid over a gushing artery. It all has to be gutted and be properly addressed. Find a licensed and insured contractor and put in an acrylic surround after the walls are gutted and what is behind the wall fixed.

I think we need to come up with a stopgap here, something that will stabilize the situation until the OP can pull together the resources to get this fixed right.

I guess my suggestion would be take baths until this can be reapired properly and mould is all toxic if there is some it needs addressing.

I understand you have health and budget constraints, but... What is going to keep this from happening again? I don't know how it could be repaired without tearing out the damaged material. What is the new going to "stick to"?

The hurricane winds drove water in between boards on the outside of the bathroom, loosening up the interior wall under the Formica? Are the exterior boards back to their usual condition now or do they need some repair, too?

The most cost effective solution is probably to get a tub surround from
Home Depot or other big box store, installed professionally. They are
easy to clean. Take a look at Home Depot and ask them what installation costs. Some can be cut to fit around a window.

Amazon sells short vinyl window curtains for shower areas, less than $9, once you get a new surround. https://www.amazon.com/Carnation-Home-Fashions-Bathroom-Curtain/dp/B002XQ2LFG/

> mould is all toxic

Oh, for goodness sake. What about cheese? Sourdough bread?

There are many forms of mold that are beneficial, some that are benign, some that are harmful only if you're allergic to them, and a few that are toxic. Getting people alarmed over mold doesn't help anyone.

People are WAY too freaked out about mold, probably because of too many breathless "be afraid" stories on television (and on the 21st century's equivalent, social media).

However, I agree with your suggestion to avoid using the shower and take baths instead.

Thank you all the suggestions. Just so you understand I am looking to remove the back wall of the Formaca sheet and the sheet rock but not the other adjoining walls This will take it down to the studs. My plan was always to use concrete backboard along with using another new sheet of Formica/sheetrock. .Also this is the only bathroom I have. So taking a bath instead a shower is in the same place . I know better pictures are needed. I will post them as soon as I can. Home Depot wanted to do the whole bathroom. Which is not an option. Thank you for all responses. Keep the suggestions coming.

A shower is not an appropriate application of plastic laminate, no matter the underlayment. The Sophinator has nailed it again. She and I are obligated to tell the truth, no matter if it's what the OP wants to hear or not.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Pro-Series-32-in-x-60-in-x-57-in-5-Piece-Easy-Up-Adhesive-Tub-Surround-in-White-40154/204338479 Is what you need. After ripping all of the damaged walls out.

Anything as old as that should replace the valve behind the wall as well before the new walls go on.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/MOEN-Adler-1-Handle-4-Spray-Tub-and-Shower-Faucet-with-Valve-in-Chrome-Valve-Included-82603/300213962 

Hi Sophie, I have seen the "wrap" you link above. This is not a option for me. It would cover the window. And it is very flimsy. But the replacing the plumbing is a great idea when I do the other walls. But I can only focus on the back wall right now due to budgeting issues. Safety first, looks laters. BTW the laminate on the wall was put in by the original builder did remolding in the late 60's. I have alway used a back shower curtain to protect the back wall, The whole bathroom walls are covered from floor to 4 ft with this same color laminate/Formica. I know ---I need to get you guys better pictures. Also the original builder was a farmer who built it for his son- in- law. Not a professional. He cut corners and did not spend any money to do things correctly. I have over the years correct some major mistakes, but now I can not. All I can do is simple stuff.

kleewolf:

The panels can be trimmed and detailed around your window. Those panels have no phenolic backing as does plastic laminate. Like plastic laminate, it is only "flimsy" until it is applied to a proper substrate.

This is not the mountain that you are trying to make this into. The materials to fix this and make it functional aren’t expensive. They just aren’t chi chi or pretty. But budget functional doesn’t need to be either. Contact a local church or social services agency to get some help with the labor. This CAN happen if you exercise some initiative and effort. Nothing can happen without that.

Hi Sophie, I think you missed my comments above about using a local church or Social Services. Believe me I am putting in a lot of initiative and effort. I expect to pay for all my services, which is why I asked for suggestions. I am proud to be a senior who is willing to do without to make thing happen. As I said before (above) I am looking for safety first, not esthetics. I did not ask, nor want a "free ride" just good suggestion on what to do since I will not have a contractor. Thank you for your opinion, I value all comments.