Chris Hall

[Matt Forde @mattforde]

Today I'm two years cancer free.

It sounds barmy but at times I completely forget that I had it. I can't figure out if that makes me a very positive person or a moron. Probably a bit of both.

My main reflection is that I'm very lucky. Lucky to have caught it when I did, to still be alive as a result, to have been treated by the NHS at such a phenomenal hospital that (@thernohcharity), and with such wonderful people around me. Oh and the hospital food was delicious.

Having to confront my mortality is one of the most powerful things I've ever experienced. To really have to think about my life ending and how I'd spend the time I had left.

I will always be grateful for that moment. I knew I would do anything to live. I don't believe in God anymore but it was a borderline spiritual experience. It's definitely made me wonder again about whether there is more to life than what we see.

The prospect of surgery was terrifying. It was like knowing I was going to be in a car crash, but one that would save my life. I was bracing myself for the intense trauma my body was going to endure. I was scared and I cried a lot. But I knew it was preferable to leaving that tumour in there to destroy me.

The recovery was exceptionally painful at times. I cannot believe the levels of pain that the human body can endure without blacking out. I still have a lingering level of pain now but I can totally deal with it in a way that I wouldn't have been able to before. The scale of the agony has totally reframed what I consider to be a bad time. Handy when you're a Forest fan.

I've got a few issues as a result of the surgery. I have a stoma, I have to self-catheterise, I've got stress incontinence and I've got erectile dysfunction. But these are all small prices to pay for being alive. Some smaller than others.

The main thing is I caught it early. (Relatively. My oncolgist thinks it could have been on my spine for five years, but chordomas are slow growing). The thought of that little fucker being inside me, working against me all that time is weird. Five years! It'd been in there since Theresa May was Prime Minister!

You know your own body. If there's something wrong, please get it checked. Whatever it is. Ignoring it won't make it go away. Hopefully you get told that it's nothing, but if it's bad news it's less bad if you catch it early.

One huge benefit is that lager tastes incredible. I cannot explain this, but since my operation, lager tastes even more refreshing than it did before. That has not diminished in the last two years. Maybe there is a God.

[Chris Hall @Hally_IB]

@Houseof_Cricket @jord_campbell

[BBC Sport Tees @BBCTeesSport]

Middlesbrough legend Tony Mowbray opens up about his bowel cancer diagnosis and says that he wants to return to football in the future ❤️

#Boro | #UTB | #BBCFootball

[ALASTAIR CAMPBELL @campbellclaret]

They don’t. Believe me. Why do you talk such utter shite? And why are you morphing into a sovereign individual
anarcho-capitalist narcissist with fascist leanings? Some journey you’ve been on.

[Nature is Amazing ☘️ @AMAZlNGNATURE]

This is my favorite video on the internet

[BBC Sport Tees @BBCTeesSport]

Gareth Southgate uses Middlesbrough's 2003/04 League Cup win to inspire his current England team 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿❤️

#Boro | #UTB | #ThreeLions

[Chris Hall @Hally_IB]

@jord_campbell @crickshouts Like mine at Sedgefield that!

[Chris Hall @Hally_IB]

@jord_campbell @cricket_badger Madness isn’t it. Don’t understand why either - it can surely only be because of franchise tournaments.

[Chris Hall @Hally_IB]

@Closey25 @BBCTeesSport Spot on, as usual.

[Led By Donkeys @ByDonkeys]

The Murdoch Succession

Thanks to @j_smithcameron for narration. Projection location New York City

#Succession

[Chris Hall @Hally_IB]

@OllieHolt22 A refreshing view!

[Chris Hall @Hally_IB]

@MarinaPurkiss I can think of a few! Pure evil.

[Chris Hall @Hally_IB]

@richardpbacon Pure scum.

[Chris Hall @Hally_IB]

@Closey25 @AlexClose1997 @matthew_crofts Wrong sport. I didn’t even realise he was over there..

[Chris Hall @Hally_IB]

@bbctms @StuartBroad8 @Closey25

[Chris Hall @Hally_IB]

@benny_hutch Good luck watching that and not having tears in your eyes. Top bloke.

[Chris Hall @Hally_IB]

@Ben_Wisden @jord_campbell

[Chris Hall @Hally_IB]

@RyannHynd Mr Negative strikes again

[Chris Hall @Hally_IB]

@guardian Good on him. Super talent.

[Chris Hall @Hally_IB]

@jord_campbell @robelinda2 Ridiculous knock that one. Just a shame it was marred with him texting the opposition.