Update on Susan - as of late yesterday

First of all, thank you all very much for your prayers. We received an email from one of Susan's roommates late yesterday afternoon, and I wanted to share with you. We have not heard much beyond what I have put in quotes below, but please keep praying.

I wanted to give everyone a short update on Susan as of this morning. Two of her doctors, a neurologist and an infectious disease specialist, spoke with her parents about her status. The tests for bacterial infection have come back negative. They currently believe that Susan did have a viral infection which is now gone but she is suffering from certain post-infection effects. In short, the doctors believe that Susan's body produced antibodies against a viral protein which happens to be similar to a protein produced by her brain. So her immune system is treating that protein as if it were viral, causing inflammation in the brain. She is currently receiving steroids to try and counteract these symptoms. The exact virus is yet unknown, the doctors are still waiting for those results.

Michelle's class made cards for Susan and her family yesterday and we are mailing those cards to Washington D.C. so that her family may read the words of encouragement. If you wish to send something, even just a note of prayer, contact me and I will give you the address to which you may send your items.