Sugarcane and Shepherd Desserts

10/15/2026

An update!

Today’s appointment went very well. I was seen at 7:25 am and was there for almost 2.5 hours. The doctors (two of them!) were very thorough in their questions. We went from nobody having a clue what was happening to me to these gentleman coming up with several possible theories to why I’m experiencing all this.

Let’s deep dive!

So firstly, apparently I was born with something called an “annular pancreas”. Which basically is a birth malformation where my pancreas wrapped part of itself around my intestines. Because of my recent significant weight loss, my organs are readjusting themselves in my body and they suspect that is why they now can see this malformation, as opposed to when I was younger and it was never present on any scan. It existed however back then and likely has caused the nausea and pain I’ve had over the years since I was about 16. Unfortunately the only solution to the pancreas problem is a major surgery. The good news of that is I will avoid further complications such as pancreatitis down the line

Let’s not forget the mass. They confirmed for me that it’s located in not a great spot. The scope doesn’t normally reach that far and the ultrasound that they will be using to accompany the scope definitely can’t. They didn’t want to guess at what it was, although options from a simple large polyp to a potentially dangerous tumor did come up. My endoscopy tomorrow will likely confirm the pathology. We will go from there with that.

Lastly, I have a telescoping small intestine and suspected restrictions (small blockages) in four locations. They will be doing several additional scans to see what needs to be done about all that.

For those who read all that: thank you. It was probably the best doctor appointment of my life. To say I’m actually excited for this journey right now is valid. I’m nervous don’t get me wrong and I will likely be here past when I hoped I would if surgery(ies) are necessary.

For those back home who are continuing to support my business through bakery purchases or the go fund me: I really really appreciate it. Having to take this much time off of work is daunting and the idea that the bakery wouldn’t survive would just break me. My girls (Becca, Meli, Serenity, and Dezzy) are KILLING it and I couldn’t be more grateful to them. But I will continue to ask for the continued support from everyone to help get through this incredibly challenging health time.

Thank you so much for your time. I will post an update as soon as I have one.

❤️C

Charlotte is a dear friend who needs help as a sudden medical crisis has turned her life upsid… Donna More needs your support for Keep Charlotte's Bakery Open

10/12/2026

Tomorrow is the day I head to Mayo Clinic with my mom and Todd. To say I am scared is an understatement. Not only am I scared of the trip itself and the toll it’ll take on my weak body. I am also very scared about what they’re going to tell me is lurking inside of me. But the funny thing about fear is one way or another you have to overcome it. I want, no, I NEED answers and therefore the fear can wait.

I have I idea how long I will be in Minnesota, truthfully it could be a week or it could be closer to a month. Depends on what they find, what my treatment needs to be, and whether I need surgery. But I fully committed to this journey.

My bakery will continue to operate as it has been thanks to my amazing team. With the added stress of trying to run a business from a hospital bed, if you or someone you know would be willing to donate to the bakery’s go fund me page it would be greatly appreciated. The last thing I can imagine is to finally be healthy and come back and have to close my dream just based on financials.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/keep-charlottes-bakery-open

I appreciate all of your support through this time. And I will keep you updated as I learn more. Thank you so much for your continued love and prayers.

-C

Charlotte is a dear friend who needs help as a sudden medical crisis has turned her life upsid… Donna More needs your support for Keep Charlotte's Bakery Open

10/10/2026

Counting the days until I get my medical answers.

https://gofund.me/83c81e209

Backstory: I have been plagued with GI pain and nausea for almost 15 years. About a month ago I ended up in the ER with what I thought was just a kidney stone. It was so much more.

I have a mass in my duodenum and transient volvulus small intestines. I have been unable to work since and have been in and out of the ER seven times in three weeks.

I am heading to Mayo Clinic on Tuesday with my mom (who sacrificed her lifelong dream vacation to Africa to take care of me)

I am praying that I get my answers quickly once there, and that I get relief soon after that. However there is no guarantee this is a quick recovery.

I may need surgery and I may need treatment for the mass as it’s about 50/50 if it’s cancerous or not.

I am scared I’m not gonna lie. But what’s even more scary is that I can’t work and I’m worried about losing this dream I’ve built over the past over 5 years.

A loving friend and community member has created a go fund me to help with bakery expenses, especially paying my girls who are working overtime for me without complaint.

If you can donate I would be eternally grateful, but if you can even just share the post that would be appreciated too. I will fight this illness and get better as fast as I can so I can come back and be with you all.

Thank you so much for your time and your prayers

10/06/2026

https://gofund.me/5f1e3d1ff

A dear friend of mine has organized this page to help with bakery expenses while I am unable to work and my team are doing everything they can to keep my bakery dream alive. If you can donate, thank you, if you’re not in the position to, if you could at least share that would be incredible. Thank you all. ❤️

Charlotte is a dear friend who needs help as a sudden medical crisis has turned her life upsid… Donna More needs your support for Keep Charlotte's Bakery Open

10/04/2026

Normally I can let these things go but not today. As almost everyone knows on here I have been in and out of the hospital, very very ill, awaiting a diagnosis on a tumor in my intestines and potentially an accompanying invasive surgery and this is the response I’m met with. There’s a sign on the door, I’ve tried my best to update yall on social media, my girls are working their butts off trying to keep this place going and yet without even trying my product, I get a 1 star review when I’m facing down the most challenging health fight of my life. I crossed off the name because it doesn’t matter who this person is. What matters is that I have asked for patience. I have asked for grace. And so so many of you have been nothing but wonderful. But this hurts. Like I’m not doing enough. I’m sorry but to whoever this person is, please do a reality check and remember what’s actually important in life. Because my parents are scared their going to lose their daughter, my fiancé is scared he’s gonna live this life without me, and my team is carrying on as hard as humanly possible for a business that isn’t there’s but that they care about as much as I do.

10/04/2026

A health update:

After multiple additional trips to the ER and no availability for a GI appointment until the end of the month, my primary doctor, parents, Todd and I have made the decision to transfer me out of state for treatment.

We will be leaving for Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN next week. I have already spoken with the GI AND surgical teams there who are both ready to help me get my answers and feel better.

In the interim my symptoms keep intensifying; I am completely bed bound and can barely eat or drink. I am in constant pain and the nausea makes me so dizzy. I spend my days sleeping about 21/24 hours. For those who don’t know I have a mass in my duodenum that they are going eventually determine if that horrible six letter c word is in play. My intestines are very twisted and sick and I have been vomiting, bleeding, and suffering in insane pain for two weeks now.

My mom was here this past week which was insanely helpful. Todd has been a godsend, taking care of the house while I’m incapacitated. The girls at the bakery are doing their best as well although without me working sales are not great. I will most likely be starting a go fund me for the bakery because if I simply cannot lose everything I’ve ever wanted in life because of this illness speed bump. More info on that to come.

I have found myself in a constant state of grateful for everyone in my life who’s been caring for me, about me, reaching out, and supporting me near and far. I am very scared about the weeks ahead but I am also the most hopeful I’ve been in a while that I’m going to finally get answers I deserve. I will keep you posted on how everything pans out.

I love you all.

-C

09/25/2026

Hey yall,

It’s been an interesting couple days. What started as a trip to the ER for a kidney stone has led me to be hospitalized with more severe complications for the foreseeable future.

I am/will be okay.

But for now please be patient with my team as they are working overtime to make up for my absence. There may be days we close early, or days were closed entirely. I apologize in advance. However, my recovery must be my first priority and my team is doing their absolute best. I ask for patience and grace and understanding for all of them through this time period.

Thank you in advance

-Charlotte

09/11/2026

Our Fall '26 menu is officially here! We have rolled out all the pumpkin, apple, spices, and so much autumnal flavor you're definitely going to want to check this one out! We will have these offerings for about 2 months, until Thanksgiving (can you believe that's 2 months away??) Looking forward to sharing with you all what we've created!

-C

08/25/2026

It was such a privilege to be able to sit down with these wonderful people and talk about something so important to my life. If yall have a minute, and want a behind the scenes of the bakery, and me, give it a listen! And if you like the style of this podcast give them a follow! They are all wonderful people and deserve your time!!!

🎙️✨ NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!

Episode 29: From Passion to Progress ft. Charlotte Tanner 🧁🌱

What does it really take to turn something you love into something you’re building?

This week, we sit down with Charlotte Tanner, owner of Sugarcane and Shepherd Desserts, to talk about the journey behind the business—the growth, the challenges, the connections made along the way, and what it means to keep moving forward when passion becomes purpose.

Because having a dream is only the beginning. 💛
Passion gets you started. Progress is built by showing up.

🎧 Episode 29 is available NOW! Listen, watch, share, and show some love to a local business owner who took the leap and turned her passion into something real.

🌳 Stay rooted. Keep the conversations growing.

‼️ ❤️💞❤️

08/12/2026

Just a sampling of some of the cakes we’ve been busy as 🐝 working on this summer! So grateful to my team for always executing beautiful cakes!