Help me fight multiple sclerosis!

Time to re-write my story!

After being employed with the same company for 6 years, I received an email out of the blue saying I'm being laid off. That happened on April of 2022. Fast forward, a few weeks later, on May 1st, 2022 I ended up in the ER at Rush Oak Park Hospital (not my first rodeo).

Finally after doing the whole routine blood work, put me on an IV to get "hydrated ", I was already sick and tired of every doctor telling me it all comes from my anxiety (which I never denied I suffer from, along with panic attacks). I asked to have a CT scan and an MRI because at that point I just thought I'm going crazy.

My gut was telling me something else is going on and... I was right. They found 7 lesions on my brain so they told me, most likely, it's MS.

Followed up with a neurologist on May 4th of 2022 after I have another set of MRIs with and w/o contrast to my brain, cervical and lumbar spine.

My biggest fear just got real; he confirmed RRMS, relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis. I went and asked other neurologists as well, just to make sure it's the right diagnosis. Went to Romania, had a spinal tap as well. Everything was confirmed and I started going out of the denial phase.

After that, being uninsured, I found out about a doctor in Mexico, working with mesenchymal stem cells which are supposed to help stopping the progression of the disease. Unfortunately, I was not able to keep up with paying a few thousand dollars every 3 months so I applied for Medicaid which... was/is useless.

My neurologist, an amazing human being referred me to the Genentech Patient Foundation which can help delivering the drug Octevus (infusions) without cost to me, BUT Medicaid stepped in and said I already have coverage but they are just not convering that specific drug for MS. They only cover the cheapest generic version of 2 other drugs which aren't doing much at all so now I'm just stuck...

In the meantime, I fell behind of every imaginable bill, car payment, etc. I've been applying for over 1.000 (at least) jobs until I just decided to take a break for my own mental health. I now drive for Lyft which is... better than nothing but not enough by far.

So, if you would like to contribute, share my story with your friends or family, please do so.

No help is to little!

As Anne Frank quoted, “No one has ever become poor from giving." I believe that any amount you can give will become God's channel of blessing to you and your family.

Thank you so much for your kindness.

Bogdan Lapadat