Transform Your Cancer Journey
How to travel a purposeful cancer journey of faith
Hi. My name is Henry Dotson, founder of Our Journeys of Faith Life Coaching. You may be reading this because you or someone close to you has cancer. If so, then this will sound all too familiar:
Ø After the initial shock of the diagnosis has worn off, you find yourself overwhelmed and wrestling with a lot of questions as you embark on this unexpected cancer journey that you are ill prepared to travel.
Ø You’re afraid of dying, and at the same time wondering what shape you’ll be in if you survive.
Ø You or your loved one may be asking “Why me? Is this my fault?”
Ø Perhaps you’re questioning your faith and asking, “Where is God in all of this? Is He punishing me? Did God give me cancer? Can God really be trusted? Has He abandoned me altogether?”
Ø You think no one can really understand what you’re going through so you feel disconnected and alone.
Ø You’re unsure of the meaning, value, and purpose of your life.
Ø You feel powerless and hopeless, and you most certainly have no peace.
Ø You fear making bad decisions when you have to make choices about where should you go to get medical care, your treatment plan, and any other healthcare-related topics you know little or nothing about.
Ø You’re wondering how this journey will impact your family. What about my spouse and the children? Who’s going to meet my responsibilities at home if I can’t? Will I ever be able to go back to work?
Ø How much is this going to cost and can I (we) afford it? Will my cancer journey leave me and my family in financial ruin?
Ø If I survive, what will be my “new normal” and my quality of life? If I don’t survive, how will it impact the ones I leave behind?
Ø Are all your final arrangements in order? Are your final wishes documented?
Cancer is a huge problem that affects the body, mind, and spirit of everyone involved. There is just so much to take in and deal with. At times the “weight” of cancer may seem unbearable or insurmountable.
As a survivor of a life-threatening bout with cancer myself, I understand why all of these questions and concerns can be overwhelming and leave you feeling hopeless with no way to move forward.
However, there is a way to move forward.
Every crisis we face in life is a challenge to our faith. The greater the crisis, the greater the challenge. And cancer experts know your faith will have the greatest impact on the outcome of your cancer journey. So, focusing on your faith is the best place to start.
My Story
Let me share with you my cancer journey. In July 2015 I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of bone cancer. At the time of my diagnosis, 90% of my bone marrow was cancerous, my kidneys had failed, and I was anemic. The doctors told my wife Vanessa privately the probability of survival was low.
Additionally, we had travelled from Los Angeles to Cancer Treatment Centers of America Chicago in Zion, IL to get the diagnosis. We planned on being there for a six-day evaluation. Instead, it turned into a 33-day trip. After that we returned home to continue our cancer journey receiving treatment at City of Hope in Duarte, CA.
We were faced with a life-threatening situation with very little chance of survival. And we were facing this over 2,000 miles away from home and knew no one in the area. We had to answer the questions: What do we do? How do we react? In what or whom do we trust? In what or whom do we place our faith? As Christians we knew to place our faith and trust in God. That was the easy part for us.
From there, we went through a physical, mental, and spiritual roller coaster cancer journey of faith along with family and friends.
Physically I journeyed through intensive chemotherapy initially which temporarily left me mentally incompetent to make decisions for myself, two potentially life-threatening viral infections, radiation treatments, a stem cell transplant, and back surgery that could have left me paralyzed or worse. I have been left with a compromised immune system, am three inches shorter, and am restricted to zero impact exercise activity. But I rejoice as I can still enjoy life!
Mentally my wife and I journeyed through the emotional highs and lows that cancer brings, and fought cancer on the battlefield of the mind.
Spiritually I relied on my faith as I descended into the Valley of Dependence where I drew closer to God. I experienced miracles and His unconditional love. I began to identify the Life Messages God was forming in me through my suffering.
I am happy to report that in November 2016, I was declared in remission with no trace of multiple myeloma down to parts per million, my kidney function was restored only five days after my cancer diagnosis, and my anemia was also resolved only two days after my cancer diagnosis.
I describe my cancer journey in a nutshell by saying I went to Zion, where God lives, and He saved my life. I went to a City of Hope, where He restored my health and made me whole. And I have been doubly blessed because I do not look like what I’ve been through.
My Mission
Once in remission, our pastor asked us to give our testimony at a late-night prayer meeting. The response was overwhelming. Many people were inspired and encouraged. Many suggested that I write a book about our journey to help others. I told the people I was glad they found our testimony helpful, but I had not considered writing a book.
An audio recording was made of our testimony and sold by the church in CD format. I received calls from some people saying they had shared the CD with others and they were blessed. On a couple of occasions, I spoke with cancer patients who wanted to talk. I was told they were encouraged and (again) I should write a book. Again, I told them I was glad I was able to help, but I had not considered writing a book.
The truth was I did not want to write a book. It was not on my bucket list.
One morning, after spending time in prayer, I was directed in my spirit to read 2 Corinthians 1. When I read the first seven verses they resonated in my spirit. In 2 Corinthians 1:4-7 the apostle Paul writes:
“He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.” – New Living Translation
I thought maybe I shouldn’t be so focused on what I do or do not want to do, but should listen for what God wants me to do.
In late April of 2017, while in a light afternoon sleep, I heard God’s small still voice say to me:
“Henry, one of the reasons I spared your life was for you to tell your story of miraculous healing. You will bless many with your testimony because it will be an encouragement to them and a reminder that I am the living God and I am still in the miracle-making business.
I have been speaking to you through others when they were saying to you, ‘You ought to write a book.’ I am speaking to you now as confirmation of what they have been saying.”
I knew in that moment that part of my life calling was to share my story with people impacted by cancer to inspire and encourage them. I was assigned to let the world know through my story that God is real and He is still in the miracle-making business.
As a result, I took heed, obeyed God, and proceeded to write a book.
So, Vanessa and I co-authored a book about our cancer journey. By God’s hand, it was endorsed by a Pulitzer Prize winning author, and was ranked #1 on Amazon the week we launched the e-book.
At that point I thought my mission was complete. I had answered the call. But God had other plans. He spoke to me again in my spirit and said:
“My people struggling with cancer will be encouraged and inspired by your story to grow their faith in Me in the midst of their adversity but they won’t know how. I want you to prepare and equip yourself to minister to their needs. I am calling you to teach them how to travel a purposeful cancer journey of faith.”
Again, in obedience to God, I became a certified life coach to learn how to help people make transformational changes in their lives. I received life-forming coach training from a faith-based coach training organization. In 2020 I started Our Journeys of Faith Coaching. I continue to study and practice life purpose coaching to remain equipped and prepared to provide my services.
My mission is to help Christians transform their bout with cancer to a purposeful cancer journey of faith.
The Offer
I am an engineer by training so it is my nature to look for and create solutions to social and commercial problems. Through my due diligence I discovered there are five essential elements that, when properly put together and integrated with medical care, create the framework to transform a cancer journey from a frightful, overwhelming, and despairing odyssey to a purposeful cancer journey of faith. The elements are:
1) A foundation of faith. The element upon which the other transformation elements are placed.
2) A faith-based guide for the cancer journey. This element describes the stages and order of the steps in a faith-based cancer journey.
3) A Spiritual Support Network. The network of people that minister to the spiritual needs of the cancer journey travelers.
4) Life Calling Discovery Support. Assistance with discovering how God is using the cancer journey to reveal His Life Calling on the cancer journey travelers.
5) Psychosocial Support. Support to address the non-medical issues associate with cancer.
Through my market research I discovered there are a lot of great websites, workshops, courses, programs and information that cover one or two elements. But I did not find a single offering that covers them all, nor recognizes them collectively as a framework. So, I developed and offer to clients a workshop, course, and program, all designed to transform your cancer journey. I also provide ongoing life purpose coaching to clients.
Sign up for our 1-Day Cancer Journey TRANSFORMation Workshop
Saturday, March 11, 2023 or saturday, march 25, 2023
Workshop Description
This is an online event designed to introduce participants to the Cancer Journey Transformation Framework. During the workshop you will:
· Learn what the Cancer Journey Transformation Framework is and how the elements fit together. You will be able to identify any gaps in your framework and plan how to fill them. This will reduce the chaos in your life and the feeling of being overwhelmed.
· Learn why Faith is the foundation of the transformation framework. You will be encouraged, find peace within the midst of adversity and uncertainty, and regain a positive attitude.
· Be introduced to the Cancer Journey Intinerarium – a guide through the stages and steps of a faith-based cancer journey. You can then determine your current stage and step in your journey and what to expect moving forward. You will be better prepared and informed for the remainder of your journey.
· Learn about the Spiritual Support Network – the element that, when in place, equips you and everyone else traveling with you on your cancer journey to fend off cancer’s attack on the mind and spirit. This will result in a stronger relationship with God, freedom from fear, an effective spiritual support team, and most importantly, something that cancer cannot conquer: hope.
· Learn how a faith-based cancer journey aligns with one’s Life Purpose Calling Journey and receive preliminary Life Calling Discovery Support. You will learn the purpose of suffering and how to continue to serve God while on your cancer journey. You will discover the beginnings of a life message being formed in you that you are being called to deliver to others.
· Be introduced to Psychosocial Support services and provided with essential curated non-medical information about issues associated with a cancer journey. This will identify needed cancer support community resources that provide psychosocial care, financial and legal resources, and tools that will aid in making healthcare decisions with confidence.
· Work with other participants to experience the healing power of community.
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“Having cancer is hard. It impacts the person with cancer and their loved ones. Having cancer affects the physical, social, emotional and spiritual parts of life. This is the psychosocial effect of cancer.” |
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“When someone comes face-to-face with a cancer diagnosis, ready or not, this crossroad becomes a place where his or her faith is tested.” – Rev. Percy McCray, Director of Faith-Based Programs at Cancer Treatment Centers of America |
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Testimonials |
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“People should hire Henry so they can learn something. So they can see a real live person who went through something and came out on the other side on top.” – Pamela Huley, MSN, Retired Program Manager, Kaiser Permanente |
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“I’ve seen Henry in the early days as a college student and the evolution of his talents .He’s one that will be prepared and he has the patience. When you have that talent and patience, when it comes together, it will make a difference in what he has to offer to those who come to him.” – Zephran Hamlin, Multiple Myeloma Cancer Patient |
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The Investment
The workshop registration fee is $597. You may bring up to three guests at no additional charge. [$1480 Value]. As I know firsthand that the need is great and the potential impact is even greater, I have kept the price low so as to not be a barrier to attending the workshop (If I charged my normal coaching price, it would be over $1,000 for just one person!).
For considerably less than the cost of one dose of any cancer medication or 90-minutes spent in a hospital bed (at the current rate of $10,000/day), the value you will receive is well worth your investment of time and money.
FAQ
Isn’t this something I can get for free elsewhere?
There are many non-profit community service organizations, government agencies, and healthcare providers that offer free information. There are only but a few faith-based organizations (including churches) that include support for people impacted by cancer, which they do offer for free. However, what I offer in this workshop is above and beyond what is offered in other organizations. I have not seen or heard of anyone offering everything provided in this workshop, for free or otherwise.
How do I know it will really help?
The strongest evidence or proof I have is my own personal experience along my cancer journey. There are many testimonials and evidence provided by Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), and the Cancer Support Community.
I am very busy on Saturdays. I can’t find the time to be in an all-day workshop.
I believe it is impossible to “find the time” to do anything. There are 24 hours in each day – no more and no less. There is no more time to be “found.” It really comes down to setting your priorities. If something is important enough you will give it priority over other things. You have the time – facing your cancer journey IS your priority.
The question is how would attending the workshop impact you? What if it transformed your cancer journey to one of hope and purpose as I have described it? What if it helped you through to see another whole season of life with hope? If it could do that, I believe you would make attending the workshop a priority.
Your Benefits of Attending
By the end of the workshop, you will:
· Have working knowledge of the Cancer Journey Transformation Framework
· Know why Faith is the determining factor in the outcome of your cancer journey
· Be familiar with the Cancer Journey Itinerarium
· Know how your spiritual needs are met through the Spiritual Support Network of the framework
· Know how your cancer journey aligns with your Life Purpose Calling Journey
· Have access to Psychosocial Support services essential in addressing non-medical issues associated with a cancer journey
· Have experienced the healing power of community.
You will begin the transformation from feeling afraid, alone, powerless, hopeless, and ill prepared for the journey to feeling secure in God’s love and faithfulness, experience the healing power of being connected in community, being well equipped for the journey, and having hope for the future as God’s calling on your life is progressively revealed.
CALL TO ACTION
I encourage you to go ahead and register for the workshop now. Seating is limited and I don’t want you to miss out on taking advantage of what this workshop has to offer.
When you click the button below you will be taken to the workshop registration form. Fill in all of the required information, which includes the names and email addresses of your guests, and submit the form. You will then be taken to the payment page where you will pay the $597 registration fee.
After your payment transaction is complete you will receive a confirmation email that contains the Zoom link to the workshop. The link should only be shared with the people you invited to the workshop.
ARE YOU READY?
Remember, your situation is not hopeless nor are you in it by yourself. It is possible for you to learn how to transform your cancer journey to a purposeful cancer journey of faith as I have described. Think about how that would change things for you. Think about how that would change things for your family, your friends, and the Body of Christ.
If you are seriously committed to transforming your cancer journey and making the transformational life changes that will follow, I encourage you to take action now. If this message resonates in your spirit then I say to you take the first step in faith and see what God will do.
How can you afford to not do this?
May God continue to bless you and keep you,
Henry B. Dotson, III