Hello, my name is Jolene Ostrander. I am 49 years old, and I had an ischemic stroke in August of 2023 that paralyzed my entire left side and totally ripped my entire world apart. It left me unable to walk or do any of my hobbies or things I enjoy. There is currently a shot available in Boca Raton, Florida, at the Institute of Neurological Recovery. The Entanercept injection is administered by Edward Tobinick, M.D. Scientific Biography http://www.strokebreakthrough.com/wp-content/uploads/PSE.post-stroke.Scientific-Rationale.August2014.pdf
This injection treatment is not currently covered under health insurance because using it for stroke recovery is an off-label use. Normally, this drug is used for rheumatoid arthritis treatment. The total cost of the treatment would include the trip from NY to Florida to get the injection and would be a total of approximately $12,000.
I have tried traditional therapy: first an inpatient rehab facility for approximately six weeks, then outpatient physical and occupational therapy for over a year. This stroke caused me to lose my job, and I certainly was not ready or even wanting to retire at the age of 48. I wasn’t financially prepared for such an abrupt retirement. My recovery is very minimal at best. I am still unable to walk, and I have no use or movement of my left hand or arm. To say my daily life is frustrating is an incredible understatement. I literally feel like the person I was on August 24th, 2023, died on August 25th, 2023, while I was out behind my house doing yard work and just fell to the ground. Please allow me the opportunity to get my life and some, if not all, of myself back. I really want to return to work. I can’t stand not working every day. I oddly loved working and loved my job. My daily life is suffering with a minimal Social Security check that is currently approximately one-fourth of my usual working income weekly. I look forward to hearing from you and receiving the assistance I need to schedule this life-changing injection. Thank you for your time and consideration.
