comeback,

I understand your pain. You are incorrect with your comment
<I think it would be hard for non-athletes to relate or understand.>

Try this on for size. I have had a photographic memory for most of my life, actually almost all of my life before January 16, 2001. I also had very strong abilities to imagine or mentally conceptualize. These skills were not just a big part of how I lived my life. They were who I was as a person. I no longer have these abilities. I have had to reinvent myself.

There are plenty of others on this forum who have experienced the same kinds of losses.

To take it a step further, you could tear up your knees or ankles and continue on to have a full and productive life. You could enjoy watching hockey. You could coach hockey. Your inability to play hockey would not diminish the other aspects of your life except for those that require strong knees and ankles.

Those of us who have lost cognitive and memory abilities will never be able to resume the life we once knew and lived. But an athlete with Post Concussion head aches would never understand what it is like to lose cognitive and memory abilities.

You anxiety to return to hockey has three issues to consider. Returning to play hockey does not mean you will be able to play at the same skill level. Returning to play hockey will put the rest of your life at risk from a cognitive and memory function stand point. A return to hockey with the subsequent head impacts (yes, I can guaranty they will happen) may shorten your life or cause you to want to shorten your own life.

So, the answer to your post is simple. Find some other things in your life to give it meaning. You are less than half a person if your whole existence is based on playing hockey. As you find other meanings for your life, your hockey playing will take on a new perspective. You will never know if those other endeavors will offer your more satisfaction and meaning than hockey does now.

You may simply be too young to understand this comment. In time, you will. Life has an interesting way of teaching us lessons. We often learn our best lessons the hardest ways.

btw, I have had headaches for the past six weeks except for minor breaks. I can find the Tylenol bottle in the cabinet in the dark. My friend has Post Concussion head aches that can cause him to throw up. October 16, 2011 will be his 20th anniversary of his concussion.

I am not trying to dump on you. I just hope you can get some perspective of your situation.

My best to you.