Katie Rose Photography

12/05/2025

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/what-to-know-about-the-rise-in-colon-cancer-cases-among-young-adults

Don’t be afraid to talk about your p**p. This aired yesterday on PBS television and you might just see someone you know ;)

Bathroom Habits, P**p, Hemorrhoids... the topics that feel awkward to talk about... talk about them. Even at my diagnosis and in the early months, it was weird to talk and write about. But I'm ready to share all the details and symptoms of my journey.

If the symptoms I had could have flagged someone to ask more questions, investigate a little bit more, I think we could have caught it earlier. And here I am. I didn’t catch it early, but I’m grateful I caught it before it spread more. And maybe my story will make you stop and think, ask questions, and make an appointment. And if not for you, maybe for someone around you.

(P.S.I plan to follow up with a health update post, but I’m still waiting for additional results over here!)

Catch the hour long episode here: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/december-4-2025-pbs-news-hour-full-episode

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRnP5c5iNlt/?igsh=MWhkcHl2cnRtYmVmZg==

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com//video/7577248517232659725

P.S.S. Colon cancer does NOT run in my family. I was tested and I, too, was deemed to have it because of environmental factors.

10.3K likes, 178 comments. “Many people associate colon cancer with old age. But that's not the case anymore. The number of young people being diagnosed with colon cancer is on the rise. “Normally for colon cancer patients, they were in their 60s, 70s or 80s. And then all of a sudden we were see...

10/22/2024

New York Update: Scans confirmed tumors are shrinking! My chemo is working!

Updated with more details on my Caring Bridge:
https://www.caringbridge.org/site/8cdd25bd-751c-11ef-8d65-458d1b57b4c8
https://www.gofundme.com/manage/join-katies-fight-against-colorectal-cancer/updates

10/16/2024

Update: We Are In New York City!

Scans. Today is a big day for us. Jake and I are in New York about to head into our first appointment. Today, I’ll get bloodwork, a CT scan, and MRI. Tomorrow, we meet with the surgeon, radiation oncologist, and medical oncologist. It’s all very exciting and extremely nerve racking all at once.

I have 8 rounds of chemotherapy under my belt. Chemotherapy is HARD. The drugs, the side effects… ugh! My recent round, I had low levels in my blood work numbers- so while I could still receive chemo, I was given a lower dosage AND could only receive 2 of the three chemo drugs. It’s an aggressive regimen and I’m proud to know I have completed 8. I had conflicted feelings on my 8th round because my mentality still wants to feel like I’m hitting it as hard as I can. But my body said otherwise and I don’t mind it now because my side effects were significantly less than usual and I was able to travel to PA feeling pretty dang good to see my entire family this past weekend! (All of the Ahlers siblings-including my brothers flying in from Poland- and grandchildren were able to make it together along with some extended family and friends to celebrate my dad’s big 75th in Johnstown.)

I type this post while sitting on a train into the city sitting next to my husband. He’s already planned a dinner out for us tonight after my appointments!

Tomorrow, doctor appointments. My hope is to hear the best of possible news with our scans. I want shrinkage, I want visions of the tumors barely there and everything disappearing. I want all of the nasty toxins of chemo to do their job and rid this cancer from my body. And from there, doctors making decisions on our next steps to face this thing based on the information. Possible options could include up to 4 more rounds of chemo or heading into a radiation plan.

I am thankful for every prayer, every thought, every text or message (and sorry if I’m late to respond). Prayers appreciated for this trip, scans, results, and plans.

Some fun mom life updates:
My kiddos are so happy for the cousin and family time they’ve had the last few months.
Rose Marie is 8 months and on the verge of crawling! Two of my brothers just met her for the first time!
Stefan is our very independent 2.5 year old. He chose to be a tiger this Halloween!
Lawrence, “Lars,” chose to be none other than his favorite food this Hallween- a doughnut!
Jake is still my rock. I met the absolute best partner in life for me and I get to witness it every day.

❤ Katie

09/17/2024

"Mummy is Kicking Cancer's Butt" Update (This is what my boys say!)

I decided to post my update on the Caring Bridge site as well so between one of the platforms and messages, I hope to keep my friends and family updated!

08/02/2024

In the last few months, a lot has happened. In May, our family moved from Virginia to Cary, North Carolina. It all happened very quickly. I had plans to send email updates to all of my clients….even try to come back to VA for some fall minis if I could, but life just got a little crazier than i EVER imagined.. I apologize for all emails I left unanswered during this time.

The most exciting news of 2024 is the fact that we welcomed our newest little girl, Rose Marie Standley, to our family on January 28, 2024. Her brothers adore her so much!

The most unfortunate news for me- I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colorectal Cancer in June 2024. It has been a hard few weeks trying to take it all in, meet with doctors, and make adjustments as a family in a new area. This is far from the cards I ever wanted to draw in life. I do my best to remain positive with full plans to do all I can to beat it and watch my babies grow up.

With this said, I plan to post updates on my personal page and here. I will send out an email with a few local photographers I recommend in the DC/ VA area as well.

Thank you so much for trusting me to photograph your family/wedding over the years. Thank you for your support in my passion and business. I appreciate all of you

01/02/2024

Happy New Year! If I photographed you, you most definitely noticed I’m pregnant, but it’s officially the month we plan to welcome our third child and baby GIRL. I will be on maternity leave until I begin shooting again in May 💕📸 Looking forward to this time with family and extra snuggles!

10/20/2023

Mini Sessions are ON for tomorrow in Old Town Alexandria and I can’t wait!!! 🥰📸 See you soon!! There are still a few time slots open on Nov 4th in Old Town and Nov 18 in studio!

09/14/2023

Guess what? Fall Mini Session Dates are ANNOUNCED! Head over to my website for details. Sign-Ups go LIVE tomorrow, Friday, September 15th!

https://katierosephotos.com/fall-mini-sessions-2023 #2023-mini-session

10/21/2022

I have a few spots available this Sunday for minis in Manassas! Click the link to sign up! 📸

https://katierosephotos.com/fall-mini-sessions-2022 -sessions

09/23/2022

This family photo was from December 2021. It was the first December in MANY years that I didn’t send out my annual Christmas card. 😕 Had I been slightly more on top of it, this photo would have been one of the photos on the card. Regardless, I was pregnant with Stefan at the time and it makes my heart so full to look back at these.

As much as I love photography, I honestly don’t photograph my family or children frequently with my nice camera at all. It’s cell phone photos that get me through the year (with the exception of a 15 minute shoot of Stefan each month for his monthly pics leading up to a year.)

HOWEVER, with that being said, while I adore and love EVERY cell phone image of those real moments in time…we’ve agreed on one professional shoot a year as a family. I get to set down my camera, dress up, and be in the photos with my boys. I CAN’T express how amazing it is to have professional images from each year and look back at us dressed up, feeling our best.

Your style may be different than mine. And the thought of spending money on photos may not fancy your interest. You don’t have to send them out on cards or share on social media… or maybe you choose to! I’m not telling you to book a session with me. I encourage you to consider a family session if you haven’t before. Find photographer you love (or someone who shoots a style that you love- dark and moody, bold, bright, light and airy etc.)