Imagine | Summer 2024
A digital magazine from Irwin Mitchell
Imagine | Summer 2024 A digital magazine from Irwin Mitchell
Imagine | Summer 2024
A digital magazine from Irwin Mitchell
Hearing that Forbes’ cancer had spread to his lungs and was incurable was “off the scale horrendous” for Jo. She couldn’t comprehend how her children, aged 7 and 4 at the time, would cope without their dad.
After meeting in the construction industry in 2003, Jo and Forbes built their life together. Jo remembers they “had a lot of fun and quickly fell of love.” They got married in Wales, bought a home in Cambridge, and had two children, Hugh and Lois. But no one could have anticipated the journey that followed.
Hearing that Forbes’ cancer had spread to his lungs and was incurable was “off the scale horrendous” for Jo. She couldn’t comprehend how her children, aged 7 and 4 at the time, would cope without their dad.
After meeting in the construction industry in 2003, Jo and Forbes built their life together. Jo remembers they “had a lot of fun and quickly fell of love.” They got married in Wales, bought a home in Cambridge, and had two children, Hugh, and Lois. But no one could have anticipated the journey that followed.
Cancer misdiagnosis
Forbes first discovered a lump on his right foot in 2013. At the time it was diagnosed as an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) and he was told to learn to live with it because removal would be very complicated. Over the next four years, the lump continued to grow, but in October 2017, it started growing aggressively. Within a further two months it was the size of a tennis ball, which made Forbes very self-conscious, restricted his movement and caused him lots of pain.
The afternoon before Forbes was due to have the lump removed, the surgeon recommended a scan and ultrasound, suspecting that the AVM was something more. The results confirmed it was in fact a soft tissue sarcoma. Hearing the diagnosis, Forbes thought “his life was over.”
After five weeks of radiotherapy, Forbes underwent surgery on Jo’s birthday in April 2018. The surgery was deemed a success, and life began to improve for the family. Just before a holiday to Corsica in July 2018, an x-ray on Forbes’ lungs gave him the all clear.
But just two months later, during a family holiday to Euro Disney, Forbes discovered a new lump at the top of his leg. A biopsy confirmed that the cancer had returned. Jo tried to reassure herself by repeating what the surgeon had told her previously, that it was “limb threatening and not life threatening.”
Cancer misdiagnosis
Forbes first discovered a lump on his right foot in 2013. At the time it was diagnosed as an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) and he was told to learn to live with it because removal would be very complicated. Over the next four years, the lump continued to grow, but in October 2017, it started growing aggressively. Within a further two months it was the size of a tennis ball, which made Forbes very self-conscious, restricted his movement and caused him lots of pain.
The afternoon before Forbes was due to have the lump removed, the surgeon recommended a scan and ultrasound, suspecting that the AVM was something more. The results confirmed it was in fact a soft tissue sarcoma. Hearing the diagnosis, Forbes thought “his life was over.”
After five weeks of radiotherapy, Forbes underwent surgery on Jo’s birthday in April 2018. The surgery was deemed a success, and life began to improve for the family. Just before a holiday to Corsica in July 2018, an x-ray on Forbes’ lungs gave him the all clear.
But just two months later, during a family holiday to Euro Disney, Forbes discovered a new lump at the top of his leg. A biopsy confirmed that the cancer had returned. Jo tried to reassure herself by repeating what the surgeon had told her previously, that it was “limb threatening and not life threatening.”
On 19 September 2018, Forbes and Jo travelled to London to get the results of a CT scan. Jo recalls the look on the oncologist’s face as he asked them to take a seat. He told them the tumour had spread to Forbes’ lungs and it was incurable. Giving him a life expectancy of 12 to 18 months he said, “Now you need to focus on making memories.”
The family planned holidays to spend as much quality time together as possible, but Forbes’ condition worsened much faster than anticipated. Forbes was rushed to hospital in pain during a two-night-break in Wales. A CT scan showed that Forbes’ lungs were full of tumours and Forbes was given just four to six weeks to live. Jo said, “I thought it couldn’t get worse, but it did get worse, every single step of the way.”
A week after he was admitted to hospital, Forbes was moved to his own room and the palliative care team were brought in to discuss options. With his condition deteriorating rapidly, the children came to see their dad for the last time. Jo spent the nights by Forbes’ side.
Alongside his brother and mum, Jo was with Forbes when he took his last breath, just as his brother promised to take Hugh and Lois on many adventures.
On 19 September 2018, Forbes and Jo travelled to London to get the results of a CT scan. Jo recalls the look on the oncologist’s face as he asked them to take a seat. He told them the tumour had spread to Forbes’ lungs and it was incurable. Giving him a life expectancy of 12 to 18 months he said, “Now you need to focus on making memories.”
The family planned holidays to spend as much quality time together as possible, but Forbes’ condition worsened much faster than anticipated. Forbes was rushed to hospital in pain during a two-night-break in Wales. A CT scan showed that Forbes’ lungs were full of tumours and Forbes was given just four to six weeks to live. Jo said, “I thought it couldn’t get worse, but it did get worse, every single step of the way.”
A week after he was admitted to hospital, Forbes was moved to his own room and the palliative care team were brought in to discuss options. With his condition deteriorating rapidly, the children came to see their dad for the last time. Jo spent the nights by Forbes’ side.
Alongside his brother and mum, Jo was with Forbes when he took his last breath, just as his brother promised to take Hugh and Lois on many adventures.
Getting the family the answers they deserve
Following Forbes’ diagnosis, he contacted our medical negligence team with questions about his care. He wanted to know whether more could’ve been done to diagnose the cancer earlier.
Forbes asked Jo to see his investigation through. She said, “I think people question why I’m doing it, but I feel like I owe it to Forbes to see it through properly, so that the same mistake isn’t made again.” She added that it was important to “make sure that my children have support for their future without their dad around.”
Our medical negligence experts Gurpreet Lalli and Guy Forster have helped the family to get the answers they deserve. Gurpreet says, “Forbes’ primary focus at all times remained his family and how the cancer had impacted on them. After he was given his terminal diagnosis, he wanted to ensure that his family’s future was secure, and they’d be looked after once he was no longer here.”
The hospital admitted there were failures in Forbes’ care and that without them he’d still be here with his family today. Jo continues to receive support from our legal and financial teams to help support her family in the future.
Over the past few years, we have had the privilege of getting to know Jo, her family and number of Forbes’ former colleagues. Forbes was an incredibly impressive man, he has been described as one of a kind and irreplaceable by all those who worked with him. At home he was a loving father and husband and is missed beyond measure.
Gurpreet Lalli – Medical Negligence Associate Solicitor
Over the past few years, we have had the privilege of getting to know Jo, her family and number of Forbes’ former colleagues. Forbes was an incredibly impressive man, he has been described as one of a kind and irreplaceable by all those who worked with him. At home he was a loving father and husband and is missed beyond measure.
Gurpreet Lalli - Medical Negligence Associate Solicitor
Rebuilding their lives
Jo says, “From very early on I’ve encouraged Hugh and Lois to talk about Forbes. I want them to grow up talking about him and be proud to do so.”
Pictures of Forbes hang proudly around their family, home, and they often visit a memorial bench at nearby park.
Jo moved the children to a new school that offers the children a nurturing and supportive environment. Now they’ve settled, she enjoys seeing them participate in various sports. “Forbes had always been into sport, so from a really young age he was very keen for the kids to be doing sport. They’re now very sporty people.”
Having supported the family and seen them rebuild their lives, Gurpreet says: “Jo is an incredible mum and is building a fulfilling life for both Hugh and Lois. Now that the legal case is coming to an end, the family can close the chapter on the litigation and look forward to creating memories together.”
Going beyond legal advice for our clients
As the official legal sponsor of England Rugby, Gurpreet and Guy welcomed Jo, Hugh and Lois to the Six Nations clash between England and Ireland at Twickenham in March.
Hugh walked onto the pitch with Ellis Genge as one of the team mascots, joining them in singing the national anthem – an experience he’ll never forget.
Hugh thanked us for a “Once in a lifetime opportunity”, while Jo was grateful to Ellis for supporting Hugh through the experience, putting his arm around him and talking to him all the way. From the stand Jo said, “It was emotional to watch.”
Watch how Hugh got on as an England Rugby mascot below:
Support from our national charity partner
As well as legal support, our national charity partner, Maggie’s, has been there for the family.
Art therapist, Victoria Tolchard, worked closely with Forbes and Jo, often guiding them on what to say to the children at difficult times.
When Forbes died, Jo and the children went to Victoria’s sessions. Jo said, “The kids went to monthly bereavement art groups with kids of a similar age. That was important, and even if they didn’t want to talk about their feelings, they knew they were in a room with children who were going through exactly the same issues. The bereavement art groups are a great place. It opens the side of your brain to talk about your feelings and problems.”
Victoria added, “I think how far they’ve come and the strength they have to carry on is amazing.”
Maggie’s helps people take back control when cancer turns life upside down. With 24 centres across the UK, they offer a safe space away from the hospital. Their professional teams provide help and information with anything from the side effects of treatment to financial worries. They run groups and activities designed to make coping with cancer easier. If you or a loved one needs support with cancer, find your local Maggie’s centre.
Support from our national charity partner
As well as legal support, our national charity partner, Maggie’s, has been there for the family.
Art therapist, Victoria Tolchard, worked closely with Forbes and Jo, often guiding them on what to say to the children at difficult times.
When Forbes died, Jo and the children went to Victoria’s sessions. Jo said, “The kids went to monthly bereavement art groups with kids of a similar age. That was important, and even if they didn’t want to talk about their feelings, they knew they were in a room with children who were going through exactly the same issues. The bereavement art groups are a great place. It opens the side of your brain to talk about your feelings and problems.”
Victoria added, “I think how far they’ve come and the strength they have to carry on is amazing.”
Maggie’s helps people take back control when cancer turns life upside down. With 24 centres across the UK, they offer a safe space away from the hospital. Their professional teams provide help and information with anything from the side effects of treatment to financial worries. They run groups and activities designed to make coping with cancer easier. If you or a loved one needs support with cancer, find your local Maggie’s centre.
Legal support
If you or a loved one has experienced a failure in medical care, cancer or otherwise, our experts are here to help. They'll come to you with an understanding and sensitivity about your situation and work to get answers from those responsible, so you can look towards the future. Get in touch.