"I was navigating the hardest news I've ever had to hear with what should have been the most joyful time of my life. I didn't even know if I'd see my daughters' first birthday"
Lindsey Docherty
Preparing for a life you can't predict: Lindsey's story
Life has a way of changing course when we least expect it. One moment, we're making plans for the future. The next, we're facing challenges we never imagined. It's human nature to put off practical tasks such as reviewing finances, updating protection policies or preparing for the unknown. For Financial Planner Lindsey Docherty, the future she had been planning changed in an instant when she received a life-changing cancer diagnosis just hours before becoming a mother.
On 3 December 2024, Lindsey was preparing to welcome her twin daughters into the world. At 36 weeks pregnant, she should have been focused on the excitement of becoming a mum. Instead, she received life-changing news that she had Stage 3 breast cancer.
What followed was a year defined by resilience, determination and an important lesson that Lindsey now shares with clients every day. None of us can predict what life has in store, but we can take steps to prepare for it.
A diagnosis that no one expected
Throughout her pregnancy, Lindsey noticed several changes that concerned her. After being referred to a breast clinic and attending several appointments, she was reassured that the symptoms were pregnancy-related and caused by hormonal changes.
However, after starting maternity leave, she decided to seek further reassurance and returned to her GP and the breast clinic for another assessment. It was then that she received the devastating diagnosis of Stage 3 breast cancer.
The next day, on 4 December 2024, Lindsey went into labour and safely delivered her twin girls, Aela and Sophie. While enjoying those precious first days with her newborn daughters, Lindsey was also undergoing blood tests and CT scans to determine the extent of the cancer and whether it could be successfully treated.
Navigating two life-changing journeys
After weeks of further tests and specialist appointments, Lindsey began chemotherapy on New Year's Eve.
Over the following months, she completed eight chemotherapy sessions whilst caring for newborn twins. When initial surgery did not remove all cancerous tissue, she underwent a single mastectomy and lymph node clearance, followed by 15 sessions of radiotherapy.
In September 2025, Lindsey completed her active treatment and began hormone therapy, which placed her into medical menopause at the age of 33. She also completed a six-month course of oral chemotherapy and is currently receiving immunotherapy treatment designed to reduce the risk of the cancer returning.
Today, Lindsey is cancer-free. She is due to undergo a contralateral mastectomy and double reconstruction next year, providing additional peace of mind as she looks to the future with her family.
The financial impact of the unexpected
A serious illness affects far more than a person's health. At the time of her diagnosis, Lindsey and her husband were in the middle of selling their home and preparing to move into a new property. Like many young families, they planned to review their finances once they had settled into their new home and adjusted to life with twins.
That review included updating their financial protection arrangements and savings plans, including life insurance and critical illness cover. Like many people, they assumed there would be time.
Then life changed overnight.
While Lindsey's story is ultimately one of successful treatment and recovery, it highlights a reality that financial planners see too often: unexpected events rarely happen when it is convenient. A serious illness, accident or loss of income can place enormous emotional and financial strain on individuals and families at exactly the moment they are least equipped to deal with it.
The value of financial protection
Many people associate financial planning with long-term goals such as retirement, investments or growing wealth. These objectives are important, but a strong financial plan should also help protect against life's unexpected challenges.
Financial protection can help provide:
- Financial security for loved ones if the worst happens.
- Support with mortgage and household costs during a period of illness.
- Greater flexibility to focus on recovery rather than financial pressures
- Peace of mind that plans are in place if circumstances suddenly change.
While no financial product can remove the emotional impact of a serious illness, having appropriate protection in place can help reduce uncertainty during an already difficult time.
Turning uncertainty into preparedness: Lessons from Lindsey’s experience
None of us can predict the future. Lindsey's story is a powerful reminder that while we can't control life's uncertainties, we can take steps to protect ourselves and our loved ones from their financial impact. Whether you're buying a home, starting a family, growing your career or approaching retirement, taking the time to review your financial arrangements can help ensure you're prepared for whatever challenges life may bring.
And sometimes, the most important financial plan is the one you hope you’ll never need.
Need support or advice?Speak to one of our Forvis Mazars financial planners to discuss how your current arrangements support your long-term goals and protect what matters most. |