Lets say your doctor offers you a treatment that would reverse every stroke effect. A treatment that put you back exactly where you were one hour before your stroke. The side effect of this treatment is that you lose all the knowledge, wisdom, and connections youve made since your stroke. Would you take it? Im thinking the newer stroke survivors would have no problem taking the treatment. I am also thinking those same people would think im crazy for even suggesting such an idea. But the reality for me is that im not taking the treatment . My stroke has neen devastating on so man y levels, but its that trauma that has completely changed my soul, my view of humanity, you know real deep stuff. My intent here is twofold. First, id like the newly effected to be aware that progress comes in many forms, not just how well you can tie your shoes or make a cup of tea. Secondly, im curious if others might feel the same way or least have had such monumental changes in your psych?
Hi Chlodog, I suppose I’m a newer / shorter term at under a year survivor of stroke and I would say as someone who has made a good recovery that no I wouldn’t take the treatment.
I have had both triumphs and setbacks but on the whole despite everything I feel better, stronger and with more appreciation of life, not just because superficially nothing has changed but in the sense I still have a life to lead. At first when I was diagnosed my response was when does rehab start?
I take nothing for granted anymore as well, set some newer goals and still want to do things. I have a weird daily ritual when I wake I check every limb, then eyesight for function, I am extremely thankful for my good luck but no matter what I know two things that firstly I’m lucky and secondly it’s so easy to forget that there are others less fortunate than me.
Hello @Chlodog - welcome to the community and thank you for sharing your stroke experience and views.
I am not a stroke survivor myself, but I am sure those that are will have something to say in repose to your post and question you ask.
Thinking about your hypothetical question, I am sure non-stroke survivors have also been asked that question, for example, “If you could turn back time, what would you do differently”. his might be related to a personal relationship, career choice etc. With individual circumstances being different I expect you may get an even split between yes and no, or maybe most people might be content with their lot and choose not to go back.
An interesting post - thank you 
Namaste|
Hi @Chlodog
Welcome to the community, I’m sorry to hear about your stroke. These things can and do make us reassess things in life. It sounds like your stroke has been a catalyst for change and it’s a great question you’ve posed to the community.
I hope you’ll find the community helpful for your continued journey. If you need anything whilst you’re using the Online Community, please don’t hesitate to tag me using the @ symbol and my username.
Anna
@Jbob it sounds like you know exactly what im saying. Im sure there are many others with a similar mindset. Ive never been more disabled but never felt better. Ive never had so little money yet felt so rich. Ive never been so messed up, yet felt so together. Ive also never had the time or even desire to contemplate thoughts like this. Look, i hate this stroke and what its done to me. But the fact remains that im grateful for the "enlightenment " im learni g things you cant find on google. Im asking questions that AI cant answer. Stuff like the meaning of life, why am i here? Things of that nature. The really good stuff. Anyway @Jbob , thanks for the reply. What i really need is an outlet for all these thoughts i have. I feel better already.
@Chlodog i am a longer term - well nearly 4 years on sttoke survivor and I am not sure I would go back either. I don’t think itbis healthy to dwell too much on the past but like you there are some good things that have come from my stroke. I am happier that life has slowed down a bit and i am liking part time working. Yes I would rather not be disabled but I guess I have just learnt to accept that.
Hi @Chlodog Welcome to our community I hope you will find this a useful place to be.
I’m 8 years post stroke following a hemorrhagic stroke which has paralysed my left side. In answer to your question, Yes I would definitely have the treatment.
Having said that I now have a very different but still enjoyable life but hate being disabled and would go back to the pre stroke me in a heart beat.
An interesting question and I look forward to reading what everyone thinks.
Regards Sue
I would like to know what I know now at 60 at 30 !
@pando . Knowing at 30 what we know at 60 is a completely different treatment. I will be the first to sign.up for that therapy as it becomes available. 
Hi!
I only had my stroke in February but I wouldn’t take the treatment. My stroke has affected every corner of my life and left me with lots of lasting issues BUT I’m more relaxed, mentally healthier and it’s helped me see what’s important in my life…. I’ll learn to overcome obstacles in time but I definitely wouldn’t go back
@Chlodog I would never accept experimental treatment to reverse what side affects I have been left with because I has a stroke in Nov 2024. I don’t want a miracle cure I want to fight back and try to get fit again. Good luck for the future.
Tomorrow it will 11 years since my stroke aged 49 and I would wind-back time without any hesitation.
Although my stroke didn’t impact me physically it did leave me with profound prosopagnosia eg I don’t recognise people out of context including my wife and grown-up daughters. I also acquired profound topographicalagnosia so I’m really good at getting lost.
Additionally I acquired a hemianopia so I’m no longer able to drive.
I’m not sure there’s any acquired wisdom that can compensate for the loss.
Maybe i should add some context. I have hemianopia as well. Im full time wheelchair besides holding into furniture in my home. I was right brain damage. Apparently that side controls emotion, thought process as well. I go from hypomania ( those are the days when i fool myself into thinking that i dont wanna go back) to major league depression those are days when id give anything to goback.) The sensory overload is such that i spend easily 90% of my time in complete silence and solitude. Those are dangerous times when its just me and my brain, no disstractions. However, all this thinking has led me down some widely varying "rabbit holes."one of those rabbit holes leads to the overwhelming feelings i can get like empathy, gratitude etc. I Love theses feelings of being like Mother Teresa and i dont ever want to lose that. Yes, i could live without the visual, physical, and mental challenges but please dont mess with my heart. Thanks for listening. Its so good to be able to express myself.
If it was a matter of weeks/months post stroke, I certainly would consider such a treatment. But at nearly 5 years post stroke, no way!
My stroke is my pride and joy for all that I have achieved to get to where I am today. Being without the ability to communicate, couldn’t even write, that was the hardest part for me. Walking was a walk in the park by comparison, both figuratively and literally. Regaining the use of my arm/hand, regaining cognition, balance. I put a lot of hard work and effort into overcoming all those obstacles and I’m quite proud of what I’ve achieved.
I lost enough from my stroke, though not as much some on here. You lose a part of yourself, but I feel I’ve been compensated in so many other ways. The new friends I’ve made, the connections and the fountain of knowledge I’ve gained post stroke far exceeds what I had before.
Lorraine
Interesting question that I just had to reply to…
Yes like a shot I would go back to where I was prior to the stroke.
The effect on my life has been tremendous I lost a life that I had made for myself in taking early retirement and starting a new part-time career being paid to do something that I would have paid to do.
Having said that,I am content with the new me and in some respects I think i am a better person.less selfish certainly.
Grateful to have salvaged some elements of my former life and with a sense of satisfaction that comes from the achievement of having overcome so many obstacles on my journey
Tony
@Chlodog Its a no brainer, ofcourse I would like to turn back the clock, cause anyone in my life since my stroke will still be around if I could turn back the clock @Baldrick wouldn’t they? otherwise they are all fake and do not deserve me 
Its good post you have come up with.
@IreneFC I think you hit upon what im getting at. My point is by taking this “treatment” you lose everything post stroke , not just the effects. You lose every stroke survivor youve met, every thought you had, every victory you’ ve won, all you’ e accomplished, every moment of post stroke life completely gone like it never happened. The last 4 years of my life have been so monumental, i simply can’t imagine losing this experience. I’ve basically not left my home in 4 years yet ive done more “ living” in that time than the previous 56 years. The time ive spent pondering myself and my purpose in life has yielded some beneficial results. Turns out that I’m a pretty good person. It also appears that I may not have been as important as I thought I was. Im still important of course, just on a much more simple level. Also, apparently, I’m not entitled to long,healthy, and happy life. Life requires struggle to be meaningful. Its these new ways of thinking that would make me categorically refuse any thing that would erase this experience. Remember while reading this post that I have significant right temporal lobe damage. Thats apparently the area that controls this kind of thinking. I love it. Im on a stoic journey to completely master my thoughts and emotions. It seems to be the key. Good day