My Story

My name is Iris Hall. I’m 38 years old, and I’ve spent my career teaching and supporting children in Surrey, BC. Over the past year, my life has changed dramatically due to multiple overlapping health conditions, including a brain tumour in my left temporal lobe, significant spinal disease, and neurological symptoms that affect my mobility and daily functioning.

While working as an intermediate teacher, I experienced a workplace injury when a student unexpectedly jumped on me. Although the moment itself was brief and affectionate, it resulted in significant strain to my neck and lower back. Since then, I have been dealing with cervical instability and lumbar spine disease, causing chronic pain, postural intolerance, and limitations in how long I can sit, stand, or walk.

Since December 2024, I have been unable to work due to chronic pain, cervical instability, neurological symptoms, and mobility limitations. After many months of delays in accessing diagnostic care, I finally received a public MRI in August 2025, which confirmed a brain tumour that was already affecting my memory and cognition. My spinal issues also remain significant, contributing to daily pain and reduced physical function.

Earlier this year, I travelled abroad for a brain biopsy after being unable to access one in a timely manner in Canada. With the biopsy results now confirmed, my Canadian care team recommended a targeted medication specific to my tumour type rather than surgical resection. While this medication is fully covered, it requires close monitoring, repeat imaging, and ongoing follow-up with my neurology and oncology teams.

I began this brain tumour medication in December 2025. Unfortunately, I experienced significant side effects, including worsening neurological symptoms and increased pain. On medical advice, the medication has been paused temporarily while my care team reassesses next steps, prioritizing safety and long-term tolerability.

Alongside the tumour, my symptoms continue to fluctuate. Some days my mobility improves slightly; on other days I struggle with pain, dizziness, vision changes, nausea, weakness, or postural intolerance triggered by even basic activities. This unpredictability affects nearly every aspect of daily life.

I am also managing additional medical conditions. I recently underwent a thyroid ablation for a toxic thyroid nodule and am awaiting follow-up in early February to confirm whether the treatment was successful. I have received spinal nerve blocks that provided temporary pain relief and improved walking ability. I am now actively in the scheduling process for surgery to address a herniated disc in my lower back, which I hope will take place in the coming months. While this surgery will not address all of my symptoms, it feels like a meaningful step toward improving daily function and mobility.

While many medical procedures are publicly covered, the logistics of accessing care are not. I am not well enough to use public transportation, so each appointment requires paid travel. In addition, many of my medications are only partially covered, resulting in ongoing out-of-pocket costs of approximately $300–$400 per month.

Although I receive long-term disability benefits through work, I continue to face significant out-of-pocket expenses related to medical travel, medications, equipment, and essential supports needed to manage complex, overlapping conditions during prolonged gaps in care.

If you are able to donate, I am deeply grateful. If you’re not in a position to donate, sharing this page would mean the world to me.