Lugar Boswell Thistle defender Adam Lowe admits he had to put his head in where it hurts again to convince himself he could bounce back from a fractured skull.
The 24-year-old suffered the potentially career-threatening injury after blocking a shot with his head in a league clash against Girvan last September.
He expected to miss most of the season but made a surprise return to action last weekend – playing the full 90 minutes as Lugar lost 1-0 away to Lesmahagow in a West of Scotland League Conference A clash.
And he revealed to Ayrshire Football News how four months of fretting over his playing future melted away in a matter of seconds.
"About two minutes into Saturday's game, I could see this high ball heading straight towards me and I knew I had to meet it with my head," said Adam.
"I just felt this huge sigh of relief when I headed it. It was a massive moment for me and the players and the coaches on the side of the park couldn't have been more encouraging. I could feel the adrenalin pumping again.
"The last few months have been about getting over various hurdles and this was the biggest one in front of me.
"After an injury like that you do worry if you'll get back playing and it's hard for things not to play on your mind.
"You can start to think of various things that could go wrong but as a defender you always have to be at your aggressive best."
"The only disappointing thing on the day was the result.
"I feel absolutely fine and I haven't had any sore heads since."
Adam admits his journey back to fitness has been a rollercoaster but insists the support of his friends, family and everyone at Lugar has been invaluable.
Lugar boss Greg Gallagher's offer of a coaching role while he continued his recovery was a god send for the former Cumnock ace.
He went on: "For the first couple of weeks after the injury I suffered from migraines but the worst thing was sitting in the house and just feeling sleepy during the day.
"The gaffer and Andy Reid [assistant manager] had said to me that once I felt up to it I could come in and help out with the coaching.
"That was brilliant for me to get back in involved with the boys and feel part of things again.
"From there, I gradually got involved with the training again, did some one-to-one strength and conditioning work and took things from there.
"Lugar are a massive part of me and my family's life so it has meant everything to have the club's support.
"On top of that my family have been unbelievable. I just feel very fortunate to be have recovered so well and be back doing what I love."
Adam is now hoping to play a part in Lugar's end of season run-in, starting with tomorrow's Kilmarnock Pie West of Scotland Cup clash at home to Ardeer Thistle.
He added: "While on a personal level it was great to be back involved at the weekend, I was gutted with the result. You should never be happy in defeat.
"We've nine league games left and a lot of big matches to look forward to.
"We've a chance to make a big statement against a good Ardeer side and I'm sure the boys will relish the challenge."
Lugar currently sit third bottom in their division but Adam is convinced the Rosebank Park outfit are heading in the right direction under Gallagher and Reid.
He said: "People maybe still think of Lugar as this wee Junior club but I've got a feeling we are just at the start of a journey.
"Next year, the leagues will be more balanced and I think we've got be looking at finishing top, if not in the top four or five.
"I'll certainly be doing everything in my power to make that happen."
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