Laois couple to renew wedding vows after cancer 'miracle'

A PORTLAOISE couple who married 22 years ago will renew their wedding vows this summer, after what they describe as a 'miracle' recovery from cancer.

Barman Brian Smith was only 50 when he was given between six and 11 months to live, after he was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer three years ago.

It was a devastating shock for Brian, his wife Louise and their three children from St Brigid's Place, who thought they were facing their last year together. Youngest child Kellie was only 12 at the time, while Brian jnr was 19 and Cillian was 16.

Instead, the couple are looking forward to renewing their vows on 4 July 2026, since Brian proved suitable for a trial drug that shrank the tumour and allowed surgery.

Within the past few weeks, they received the wonderful news that Brian is cancer-free.

A delighted Louise (née Kelly) told the Laois Nationalist: "It's a dream come true, a miracle. We already have the church in Portlaoise booked for 4 July and it will be such a special day, 22 years and two days after we got married on 2 July 2004."

The nightmare began nearly four years ago, when Brian found it increasingly difficult to eat and swallow. By the summer of 2022, his weight had plunged from almost 13 stone to just eight stone.

A barman at Mick Ryan's pub in Portlaoise for over 15 years, he continued to work but was in constant pain.

Multiple visits to Portlaoise hospital followed, before further scans and a biopsy at St James’s Hospital diagnosed Stage 4 pancreatic cancer in February 2023. With less than a year to live, Brian was placed under the care of Tullamore hospital.

Louise recalls: "When Brian asked how much time he had left, he was told anywhere from six to 11 months, depending on whether the cancer would spread. We came home thinking this was his last year and our world was turned upside down."

It was during the family's darkest hour that the Portlaoise community came forward, with a generosity that Brian and Louise will never forget.

There was huge support for a fundraising music night at Mick Ryan's pub in March 2023, organised by Brian's first cousin Alan Smyth, PJ Dempsey and publican Michael Ryan.

Louise says: "The way the whole town rallied round for Brian was incredible. So many people, shops, pharmacies, bars, restaurants and other businesses donated raffle prizes. We couldn't believe how good people are. It was such a good night for such a good cause."

The kindness of both friends and strangers meant the couple could take regular breaks in Tramore, Brian's favourite place, without having to worry about the cost.

Louise recalls: "We were able to make beautiful memories together, during what we thought were our final months. Brian was under the care of a palliative team in Portlaoise and he had bad pain and tiredness but, during those visits to Tramore, he was able to escape the reality of cancer.

"Those times made such a difference and we want to thank everyone who helped us from the bottom of our hearts."

Following diagnosis, Brian had eight rounds of chemotherapy and was found to have the BRCA gene, which meant he was suitable to start taking the trial drug Olaprib in May 2023, to reduce the size of the tumour.

By last Christmas, the tumour had reduced sufficiently to allow surgery, which went ahead in St Vincent's Hospital, Dublin, in January 2026.

After a 10-hour operation and 58 staples in his stomach, Brian was expected to remain in hospital for four weeks. He recovered so well that he returned home after only seven days.

"When we went back to St Vincent's for another follow-up a few weeks ago, they told Brian that the cancer is gone. It really is a dream come true, says Louise.

"Thanks to all the thoughtful people who were so kind to us during such a terrible time, we made lots of memories together that we will always treasure.

"Although he is still not back to full health after such an ordeal, Brian managed to get down on one knee last Christmas Day and asked me to marry him again. He said he loved me to bits and thanked me for being there for him. We'll always be there for each other, because I love him to bits too."

The couple's second wedding in July will be a very special occasion for all the family, including Brian's adult children from a previous relationship, Jennifer and David, and his little grandchildren Brody and Harper.

A contract cleaner for the HSE, Louise says: "It has been a long recovery but we are so grateful. From the time Brian got sick, people have helped us so much. When times are hard, you realise that people are there for you.

"You often hear the bad about Portlaoise and not the good but there is a fantastic community in the town. All the people in St Brigid's Place, where I was born and reared, have also been amazing and we can never thank them enough.

“Ours is also a story of hope against the odds. If it gives even one other person hope, it will make us so happy.”