My grandson, Lucas, is currently hospitalized at Children’s Hospital at VCU in Richmond. Up until December 1 he was an energetic, happy, healthy little boy. He became sick, running fevers and complaining of abdominal pain. He was being treated at home, assuming it was viral in nature and needed to run its course. On Monday, December 9, his mom and I decided to take him to the emergency room because he wasn’t getting any better and we felt maybe there was something else going on. The hospital did some imaging test but sent us home and said to keep doing what we have been, it will run its course. The next morning, Lucas gait became unsteady and he was falling. He slept most of the day and continued to have fevers. We took him back to the doctor that late afternoon/early evening. The doctor did some labs and his white blood count was critically elevated and the doctor said we need to get him to Richmond to the Children’s Hospital. Lucas was admitted to the Pediatric ICU and was confirmed to have meningitis and encephalitis. The team of doctors here believe and are treating him for autoimmune encephalitis. They said that he will have a long road to recovery and will have an extended hospital stay and potentially an extended stay at a rehab facility. He will need to learn how to do everything all over again. He is bedridden at this time and is unable to communicate with his. He is receiving his nutrition through a NG tube. My daughter and I have remained at his bedside 24/7. His dad travels here from home to see him when he is able as he is home with their oldest child. All donations collected will go to my daughter to assist with food, travel, and lost wages from work. At this time, the doctors are unable to give us any prognosis or outcomes as they don’t know for sure what has caused this to happen. This has been a very scary and emotional roller coaster for all of us but we have our faith, hope, and trust in God.