A YOUNG couple were forced to move their wedding forward by three months when the groom was diagnosed with a rare cancer which affects only one five million people.
Luke Willacy from Barrow was told he had a unique liver cancer called fibrolamellar, in March this year.
However, specialists at the Christie in Manchester are now puzzled by Mr Willacy's condition after the cancer did not respond to a course of chemotherapy.
Mr Willacy said: "There have been four specialists which reviewed the biopsy and it's 50/50.
"Due to my age and other variables the Fibrolamellar fits so that's where the confusion is.
"It's pretty rubbish to fair. It's infuriating that I've gone from being so active to now not being able to walk up stairs without getting tired.
"My wife Emily has been really good. She's been really strong which surprised me as she usually cries at films."
The 25-year-old described his life as a "roller-coaster" and told the Evening Mail how relieved he was when doctors initially diagnosed his condition as a gall bladder problem.
Only after being prepped for surgery did a specialist break the news that he was in fact suffering from liver cancer.
"I was mortified. I kept trying to think if there was anything I had done which might have caused it," said Mr Willacy.
Now married, the 25-year-old and his bride were advised by doctors to bring the date of their nuptials forward from September to June.
"I think I was running on adrenaline on the whole day.
"It was a brilliant day and exactly what we wanted," said Mr Willacy.
The fairytale wedding took place at Storrs Hall, Windermere, almost two years after a romantic Christmas Day proposal.
Mr Willacy said: "My friends have all been very supportive and treated me exactly the same as before as the one thing I didn't want was to be treated differently."
A charity golf event was held on Friday to raise money for the Christie hospital and Macmillan.
Organised by Ben Smith, one of Luke's closest friends, the event at Barrow golf club challenged people to play four rounds before celebrating their achievements at the after party on Friday August 12.
Mr Smith said: "It's a really bizarre situation because he was the fittest lad you'd ever meet.
"We're all so close so we're happy to do it."
Now studying for a degree in mechanical engineering, Mr Willacy is focused on tackling the disease and visits the Christie several times a month.
He also has daily contact with nurses from Macmillan who have provided him with invaluable support.
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