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 a brain tumour in my left temporal lobe, spinal disease, confirmed seizures, and neurological symptoms that now affect my mobility, safety, and daily life.

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.

Earlier this year, I travelled abroad for a brain biopsy after being unable to access one in a timely manner in Canada. Once the results were confirmed, my Canadian care team recommended a targeted medication specific to my tumour type. I began that medication in December 2025, but unfortunately experienced significant side effects, including worsening neurological symptoms and increased pain. When it became clear the medication was not a safe or sustainable option for me, the next step in treatment was radiation, which began on April 2.

I now also have confirmed seizures related to my brain tumour. Because of this, I am currently in hospital and will remain there through radiation treatment so my team can monitor me closely and keep me safe. I am expected to stay until the first or second week of June. It is hard being in hospital for this long, but I am very grateful to be supported by the oncology team at Surrey Memorial Hospital.

One important piece of good news is that I had back surgery on March 6, and it has made a major difference. For the first time in a long time, I am no longer living in severe pain 24/7. That change has meant so much to me and has improved how I move through the world, even as I continue to manage my other complex medical issues.

My symptoms still fluctuate significantly. Some days are more manageable, while other days involve pain, dizziness, nausea, weakness, vision changes, seizures, or difficulty tolerating basic activity. This unpredictability affects nearly every part of daily life.

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. Many of my medications are also only partially covered, leaving me with ongoing out-of-pocket costs of about $300 to $400 each month.

Although I receive long-term disability benefits through work, I continue to face significant expenses related to medical travel, medications, equipment, and the basic supports needed to manage complex, overlapping conditions during a prolonged period of illness.

If you are able to donate, I am deeply grateful. If not, sharing this page would mean so much.