Wurtulla mum Simone Boulton’s cancer fight deepens as GoFundMe goal looms

A strong-willed Sunshine Coast mum is writing letters to her daughters as she prepares herself for an unknown future. See how you can help.

Simone Boulton and her family, from left, Remi, 7, Adam and Maya, 11.

In the artificial cool of a Sunshine Coast hospital room, as a humidity outside makes the windows sweat, Simone Boulton is considering what next to write to her daughters.

The terminally ill woman thought about recording videos and USBs but has realised by the time her daughters reach their 18th birthdays or wedding days, technology may have changed so much they may not be able to view her loving messages.

In 2017, at 40 years old, Mrs Boulton was diagnosed with a tumour in her adrenal gland that had spread to some organs.

Now 46, the cancer has continued its relentless takeover of Mrs Boulton’s body despite chemotherapy, radiation and surgeries over the six-year period.

In October last year, she was given two years to live and since then her health has declined.

Simone Boulton is determined to reach her fundraising goal as her health rapidly declines. Picture: Letea Cavander

Her daughters, Maya and Remi, are aged 11 and 7 and Mrs Boulton said she would not live for their adult milestones.

“Mummy would love to be there and I’m sure you’re very tall and gorgeous,” Mrs Boulton said was one message to her daughters.

Simone Boulton and her family, from left, Remi, 7, Adam and Maya, 11.

“Do you video it, do you write a card?

“The last few weeks have been really hard.”

Emily Glasson, Mrs Boulton’s friend since Year One at Stella Maris Catholic School, started a fundraiser for the Wurtulla family in November last year.

Back then, Ms Glasson still hoped they could use money for bills and to take Mrs Boulton’s girls hot air ballooning or on a holiday.

Simone Boulton in hospital in November, when the GoFundMe campaign started.

Now, as the cancer continues its painful growth, the mother-of-two’s treatment options are dwindling.

“I can see the tumours in my breast plate now,” Mrs Boulton said.

Simone Boulton's cancer is now in her breast plate. Picture: Contributed

Growths in her airways scuttled surgery plans last month and although she is still hopeful the pain in her knee is something else, it feels the same as when they discovered tumours in her hip bone.

The diagnosis would mean cancer was throughout her whole body.

Intensive, energy-sapping chemotherapy is her treatment plan and pain-free time is rare.

“I nearly gave up two weeks ago,” Mrs Boulton said.

Simone Boulton in 2017, after she had a tumour the size of a small football removed.

Ms Glasson said it was difficult to see her friend in so much “10 out of 10” pain.

She said even high doses of morphine could not penetrate her bones in which the cancer had reached.

“You just want to take the pain away,” Ms Glasson said.

Ms Glasson spends much time googling CBD oils, Voltaren and anything that may alleviate her friend’s suffering.

Mrs Boulton said her incredible circle of family and friends continued to support her in person or over the phone.

“My other friend Kristy Allen and my mum have not left my bedside,” she said.

Mrs Boulton’s husband, Adam, is often rendered speechless during hospital visits and they all pray for pain-free time when the girls are in the room.

Simone and Adam Boulton.

The fiercely independent former air hostess said she could no longer dress herself without help, which was frustrating.

Still thinking of others, Mrs Boulton did not want a nurse to have to move her from a chair, to the bed and to the chair again when receiving a two-hour drip and so offered to sit up the whole time.

Mrs Boulton said the nurse replied with “you’re really sweet but this is our job”.

The patient said the Sunshine Coast University Hospital staff had been incredible but it broke her heart that she was away from her family.

“The other night we Facetimed and Maya was hugging Adam’s arm and she said ‘I want to see you, Mum’,” Mrs Boulton said.

“I said ‘I want to see you too but Mummy’s had a bad day and I don’t want you to see me like this’.”

Time is being measured differently now and the goals of the fundraiser have changed as Mrs Boulton enters this next cancer phase.

Now the money is to care for the family’s needs and for future adrenal cancer research.

To date, more than $37,000 of the $50,000 goal has been reached and it will stay open only for the next few weeks.

You can donate here.