Hi everyone! Thank you for all your prayers and support over the past few days. I can’t tell you how encouraging every gift, comment, message, or text has been to us all!
Here’s what we know so far about Ivan’s injuries. He sustained severe fractures to his upper right TMJ in two places. One of the pieces that broke off appears to have punctured his right ear canal and may also have damaged to his right ear drum. The ear diagnoses are approximations based on his CAT scan and a partial visual exam. There is too much swelling and residual blood to see all the way into the ear, so we will have to wait till the TMJ fractures begin healing to know for sure. Ivan also fractured his jaw on the lower right hand side, but this fracture is less serious. There is some dental damage is well but, like the ear, this will be difficult to determine until his jaw has begun healing.
Ivan is scheduled for jaw surgery on Monday morning (the 23rd). The surgery is quite significant but it should be noninvasive if it goes as planned. Nevertheless, there is a chance they may have to place a small piece of hardware in the lower jaw depending on how things go in the operating room. Recovery time will also be hard to predict before we get to Monday. We will be living with my parents for the next couple of weeks since my own disabilities prevent me from giving him the care he needs round the clock.
As for Ivan, he has not complained once about the pain, nausea, dressing changes, or liquid diet…or the fact that those aren’t going away any time soon. Just thought y’all should know. 😉
As always, we greatly appreciate your prayers as we trust in God’s larger purpose for this trial.
“So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” ` 2 Cor. 4:18
Walking With Grace 
Prayers and hugs to you both. Hang in there. It’s so great you have the family all around you!
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Dear Ivan,
I’m so sorry you have to go through all this. You and Grace know the Lord loves you dearly; even though it might not feel that way at times. He is Faithful.
Praying for you and the entire family.
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Bless you. I hope healing is swift.
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I am so sorry to hear this, Grace. Please tell Ivan I am thinking about him and hope for a speedy recovery!🙏🏼
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Do you grace and Ivan,
There’s no way to be able to tell this side of heaven what effects your faithfulness will have on others. These ripples just go out, and the Holy Spirit uses your obedience to intrigue, and then hopefully engage. You’ve already seen it happen, and we are all encouraged by the attitude that both of you are choosing to have. Praying for Ivan’s surgery on Monday!
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Dear Grace and Ivan,
There’s no way to be able to tell this side of heaven what effects your faithfulness will have on others. These ripples just go out, and the Holy Spirit uses your obedience to intrigue, and then hopefully engage. You’ve already seen it happen, and we are all encouraged by the attitude that both of you are choosing to have. Praying for Ivan’s surgery on Monday!
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Praying that all physical ills will be repaired in God’s timing and you will both experience the peace that only HE can supply in all areas. Merry Christmas and Blessings for the New Year.
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Dear Grace and Ivan,
I am praying for the Lord’s Shaloam to be with you during surgery, recovery and healing and all the way thru rehab. May this time together (no vacation) and with your parents be seen one day as a blessing from your Heavenly Father. Blessings, Anne Smith
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