Urgent Message From Jeff Lucas
Dear friends of Ishmael and Irene,
By now many of you have heard the sad news that Ishmael is beginning his treatment for Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. I was able to visit him and Irene yesterday in the hospital. They are devastated by this shocking development and yet continue to be their wonderful selves. In the midst of this sudden massive upheaval in their lives, they continue to trust God. Our continual prayers are so vital. The further details of Ishmael’s initial diagnosis are included later in this email in case this is being forwarded to you and you have not seen them. However, I’m writing today to address the very specific practical need that has arisen.
Obviously all of Ish's engagements for the next 6 months have been cancelled as he begins chemotherapy treatment. This presents an immediate need for financial support, as Ish derives his income from his itinerant ministry. He is a non-stipendiary (unpaid) Deacon at Chichester Cathedral and receives no income or sickness pay from his voluntary work there. After September, the situation will need to be reviewed again.
I’ve suggested to Irene and Ish that this financial challenge is one immediate burden that we as friends can lift off of them. It’s more than enough for them to fight this battle, without being weighed down by the additional challenge of finances. Rather than sending cheques through to Irene directly, there are three ways that you can support them at this time:-
1. A fund has been set up, that is being overseen by Nigel Singleton, Sue Mills and myself. We therefore want to invite any one who would like to make a donation to make cheques payable to I. Smale and send them to:
Mrs Sue Mills
New Barn House
2 Braemar Way
Bognor Regis,
West Sussex
PO21 5DP
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If you wish to pay money directly to their Stewardship Services Account, you can do so. The account number is 70775207
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If you would like to make a donation from a Charitable Trust that can only give to other charities, Spring Harvest have generously offered to receive donations. In this case, cheques should be made payable to SHCT and sent to:
Spring Harvest Charitable Trust
14 Horsted Square
Uckfield
East Sussex
TN22 1QG
The Chair of Trustees of SHCT, the Rev Stephen Gaukroger wishes to add his support saying “We want to support Ish and Irene at this time, both in our prayers and in a practical way. They have been such a blessing to the body of Christ over the past 38 years of their ministry, it is a privilege to be able support them in their time of need.”
Ish and Irene are especially concerned that this appeal is an invitation and not a pressure to their friends, and so by organising the fund this way they will immediately receive the help they need without knowing the details of who gave what amounts; they will not be burdened with the need to write thank you notes, and also this will help those who just prefer to give anonymously anyway. A list of donations will be made for accountability purposes and each gift will be acknowledged.
Ish and Irene have not only enriched the lives of countless thousands with their tireless faithfulness in travel, but they have been carriers of great joy to so many of us who are privileged to call them friends. Now we have an opportunity to bring some practical joy to them with our gifts, large or small.
Thanks for your prayerful consideration of this request.
Jeff Lucas
Initial news from Ish and Irene
Dear Friends,
Sadly, on the 7th April Ishmael was admitted into hospital and diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. He will be in hospital for at least three weeks while undergoing chemotherapy treatment.
Ish has been feeling tired and unwell since January and we just assumed he had been overdoing things as usual. He began to have headaches and last week came out in bruises all over his body including in his mouth. That was when we began to get alarmed. He was admitted into hospital on Mon 7 April for tests.
Ish has undergone lots of tests now including a bone marrow biopsy. The diagnosis is Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. Thankfully now we know it is a type of cancer that can be treated so that is an answer to prayer.
They started Ish on chemotherapy yesterday in tablet form while they stabilised his blood count (it was down to 4) they gave him a platelets transfusion, anti-biotics for infection and temperature. He has also had 8 hours of blood transfusions last night and x-rays. He is receiving painkillers and several other drugs and they are monitoring him constantly.
Today will be a long day as he undergoes surgery this morning for a Hickman line to his chest to administer the heavy drugs. He will have these for 3 weeks and if he responds will be allowed home to continue treatment as a day patient for 3 months or until he goes into remission. They have given us lots of literature and information to read. The staff are being extremely helpful and the consultant in charge of his treatment is a christian. So we are reassured God's hand is upon him. She advises us to pray along the following guidelines :
‘That he doesn’t have any infection or bleeding complications
That he goes into “remission” easily
That my colleagues and I make the right decisions etc.’
The treatment is very unpleasant and he cannot have visitors except for family. This is due to his immune system being very low and any infection at this stage would be dangerous. Ish is maintaining a very positive attitude.
If you would like to be kept informed of Ishmael's progress we will be posting news updates on his web site www.ishmael.org.uk
If you would like to support Ish during this difficult time there are three ways you can help:
1. Prayer
Please pray that Ish will respond to the treatment and that the cancer will go into remission. Please pass on this news so we can get as many people as possible to stand with us in prayer.
2. Encouragement
Part of the treatment is maintaining a positive attitude so if you would like to send a message of support please use the following email address and we will pass on your message to Ish:
getwellsoon@ishmael.org.uk
3. Practical donation (as above).
Thank you for your continued support,
Ish, Irene & Family
Please forward on this information so that people can stand with us in prayer.
