BY CHIP ALEXANDER
The News and Observer

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jay Harrison is glad to be back on the ice, back in the lineup, and out from under the fog of uncertainty that comes with a concussion.
Harrison was injured Nov. 23 in a collision with Erik Cole of the Montreal Canadiens. Harrison delivered a harder blow than he received and continued to play, although he said he was shaken up by the hit.
It was after practice the next day that Harrison noticed, as he put it, "Things were a little bit different."
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That's the best Harrison can do to describe the initial feeling of being concussed. It wasn't an immediate onset of severe headaches, nausea or blurry vision.
"Things just weren't right," he said. "Things were moving a little fast, things were turning a little too much. I had a difficult time focusing, listening."
The headaches came later. So did the worry.
At the time of the concussion, Harrison was playing as well as any of the Canes' defensemen. He scored his second goal of the season in a 3-2 win against Toronto on Nov. 20 and had been physical and effective in the defensive zone.
Harrison missed the next 10 games. He was medically cleared for contact last week, but that came after a trying recovery period.
"It's huge, the anxiety that comes along with injury, any injury," Harrison said. "And especially one that is clouded so much in controversy and mystery as concussion."
Helpless
Sidney Crosby of Pittsburgh suffered a concussion in early January and did not return to play until late November. That's an extreme case but certainly the one most talked about in the NHL.
Harrison is back and playing, but the Hurricanes' Jeff Skinner and Joni Pitkanen are out indefinitely because of concussions. Flyers center Claude Giroux is out with a concussion. The list is long and continues to grow.
"It's honestly the worst thing on earth because there's nothing you can do for it," said Maple Leafs goalie James Reimer, who was sidelined with a concussion this season. "You feel pretty helpless. It's annoying, it's frustrating. It takes away some of the goodness of life."
Harrison said taking a day-by-day approach in recovery is the only method. Just try to make incremental improvements and progress.
"That's what you shoot for. It's hard to be patient but that you have to be," he said.
Harrison said he had to avoid watching TV. He was told not to use the computer. He did not text or use the phone much. Driving was pretty much out.
"Limit as much cognitive activity as you can," he said. "Cut out any unnecessary stresses. Don't think."
Other responsibilities
Harrison, 29, is married and the father of two young daughters, Presley and Willa. He said there were things he would not pass on, regardless of the doctor's orders.
"Every toy the kids have is based on cognitive development, whether it's searching for things in a book or putting puzzles together," he said. "That's all they seem to want to do.
"That sort of clouded me up a little, but you've got to do it. You can't lock yourself in a room when you have young kids and have other responsibilities away from the rink."
For Harrison, a big step toward recovery is the start of off-ice training. Then the on-ice activity, where he skated with assistant coach Rod Brind'Amour.
It's not always a smooth progression, Harrison said. There were times, he said, "When I knew I wasn't ready yet and had to back off it to a place where you're comfortable."
Harrison returned to practice last week, and played almost 20 minutes Sunday against the Panthers, registering four hits and blocking a shot in his first game back.
"It's full-bore now," he said, smiling. "It feels good."