Jason & Kristi Probst & Family

A little note from Kristi....

Here I sit, unsure as to how to start this journal entry. Our family has had a rough go of it the last three weeks or so, but we've also had a terrific time. It's strange how life works, huh?

Firstly, we had a fantastic 4th of July with a house full of family (Elias, Isaiah, Kaitlyn [Elias's girlfriend] and her roommate, Catherine, my brother, Adam, and his family - Christina, Wyatt, and Harper). The next day, Jason's family arrived, and we all celebrated his birthday and then spent a few days here as well. It was so wonderful to spend time with his parents, brother, and family, too.

As for me, personally, I had a follow-up PET scan and labs on July 26. The scan showed a lesion on my liver; my CA 19-9 (tumor marker) was at 1100 (they want it at 36 or lower). When meeting with my oncologist, she shared with us that this indicated that there is a recurrence of the pancreatic cancer, and it has metastasized in my liver. We had our pastors and a few elders pray over us last Sunday, and I had an MRI yesterday to further investigate the liver. The MRI confirmed the lesion and that it is consistent with the cancer spreading (metastasis). I met with my oncologist today and the news wasn't what we hoped for, but it also wasn't a surprise. My cancer is Stage 4. We have conflicting suggestions on the best course of treatment - a different type of chemo or immunotherapy. She is sending a referral to a doctor in Milwaukee and we are exploring our options at leading cancer treatment centers as well. We're praying that God leads us to the perfect place for the best care for me. Please pray with us!

Bridget made the trip up here to stay with us and help us make some plans. She dropped everything to come up here and love on me and I couldn't be more humbled, thankful, and glad to have her here. God surely blessed me (and our family) when He brought her into my life. She is helping us research the best doctors and facilities and also helping us make sense of all of this new information while praying with us.

Since January, I have felt God whispering to me, "Trust." I wasn't sure what, if anything, He was specifically telling me to trust Him in, but with everything that has come my way, good and not what I'd hoped for, I keep going back to that...TRUST. So, I sit here, on my couch, looking out my doors to the beautiful lake in my backyard, with my ever-present sweet dog, Leia, at my side, and I trust. He's always been good, faithful, and loving, and we know miracles happen, so here's to trusting and praying for more miracles!

If you would like to follow their journey, please feel free to connect to Caring Bridge and certainly keep Jason, Kristi, and their boys in your thoughts and prayers as they walk through the difficult months ahead. Jason’s plans to handle South Florida are on hold until he and Kristi have clearer answers on where she will receive treatment and what that will entail.