Canny Cheesecakes

10/05/2022

10/05/2022

For anyone that doesn't know yet, John passed away early Sunday morning in Willowburn Hospice. I will love him with every breath and every beat of my heart forever.
I will leave it a few days and then probably close this page down. He was taken too quickly.

Trisha ###x

21/04/2022

I thought I'd give you all an update. As many of you will know I've been fighting stage 4 Merkel Cell Carcinoma. I've undertaken 2 of 6 sessions of aggressive chemotherapy which I know can be fatal to me. The reaction was nasty and lead to 2 hospital visits. I've made the decision to cease all treatment and let nature take its course. Trisha has accepted my decision as have my GP and Macmillan nurses. I have no idea how long I have left - weeks, months years???? Nobody knows. I will seek alternative solutions and keep on fighting.
It's been a blast making cheesecakes and I have loved every single moment of meeting so many lovely customers and so many fantastic market traders. Best wishes. John B

29/03/2022

Another chapter in my life closed today. I admit I shed a tear or two. My Canny Cheesecakes graphics have gone from my car. Now carries wheelchair and other aids I need to fight my cancer. I did keep one little sign for old times sake. Absolutely gutted.

22/03/2022

Well........I've gone and done it. My long suffering partner of 12 years is now the new Mrs Burrows (aka Mrs Cannyman and/or Mrs Cheesecake). We had a lovely service at the beautiful setting of St Thomas's Church in Stanhope on a lovely spring day and a small and intimate reception at the Bonny Moorhen. We were blessed with our friends being with us to help us celebrate our special day.
Tomorrow (Wed) it's back to reality with session No.2 of Chemotherapy. What side effects I'll get I don't know but it's a chance I'm willing to take in my fight against this rare and aggressive cancer I've got. Thank you to all who have followed my story and offered support and best wishes. It means so much to me. X

14/03/2022

Blimey - This time next week I'll be married............ Where does the time go? On the plus side I'm able to get into my suit that hasn't seen the light of day for yonks thanks to my pretty abrupt weight loss (good job there's loads of me to lose). We would be delighted to welcome our lovely friends and neighbours from Frosterley and Weardale and friends and colleagues from all the markets I've had the privilege of being part of. The wedding is at 2pm at St Thomas's Church Stanhope and after at Bonney Moorhen.

07/03/2022

Many of you may know my cancer is now stage 4, incurable and I'm undergoing palliative care and palliative medicine. I have asked my long suffering partners of over 10 years if she'd marry me and the daft girl has only gone and said yes. Oh Panic......... I'm delighted to announce that we are getting married on Monday 21st March at St Thomas's Church, Stanhope at 2pm. My dear friends from Frosterley, Weardale, colleagues and friends from markets I used to attend with Canny Cheesecakes are most welcome to celebrate this special day with us an join us for a drink and a laugh at The Bonny Moorhen pub in Stanhope after wards. We do not want gifts, your happiness in our happiness is the most important thing to us. It won't be a full on reception but we'll be there for as long as we can. John and Trisha (soon to be Mrs Burrows)

24/02/2022

Some difficult decisions to make. My battle with Merkel Cell Carcinoma has taken a knock-back. Now at stage 4 and inoperable. Chemotherapy is an option but will have loads of tests to see if I'm suitable or strong enough to take it. Not what I wanted to hear but it is what it is.
Again thank you all for your words of encouragement.
John

07/02/2022

It is with great sadness to announce the official closure of my much loved business Canny Cheesecakes. I have fought very hard in my battle with Merkel Cell Carcinoma cancer having undergone 2 surgeries and 30 sessions of radiotherapy. Sadly I have now picked up a second cancer with NETs (Neuroendocrine Tumours) in my internal organs.
This news has not only taken a physical toll on me but a mental toll as well. I have so much to think about and so many questions to ask.
I am very fortunate to have a wonderful team of NHS staff to care and look after me. I will make decisions after all the options available are made to me regarding treatment, surgeries, chemotherapy etc.
It has been an immense privilege to know so many lovely people who have enjoyed my cheesecakes and I've made so many lovely friends in the many markets I've been fortunate to attend.
Thank you to all my customers, thank you to all my fellow traders, thank you to all event organisers. It's been a blast.
Best wishes to you all. John x

01/02/2022

One step forward - two steps back. Whilst I'm recovering well from surgery and 30 sessions of radiotherapy, my immune system has taken a hit and I now have Anaemia and possible Crohn's disease to contend with. A colonoscopy will confirm that (I REALLY hope I'll be with the fairies when they do that lovely procedure). What little get up and go I had has got up and left me.
On the plus side, I'm losing weight and that can't be a bad thing as I've always been to short for my weight - so watch out for the new lean mean fighting machine.
Thank you all for your thoughts and kind messages. John
p s. Please note my website has been temporarily closed.

13/01/2022

Today (Thurs) I saw the surgeon who removed my axillary lymph nodes in September to see how I was doing. He was very pleased with the healing progress but reminded me I still have a way to go but the prognosis is good. Keep on with the physiotherapy to regain my strength and keep on taking the medication (a glass of Merlot). I'll take that as good news. I'll know mid/late Feb if the radiotherapy has worked.

24/12/2021

Wishing everybody a very Happy Christmas and to thank everybody for their kind thoughts and messages of encouragement as I fight my battles with cancer. John B. X