Experience Description:

I was in extreme pain with chest pains when I heard nurse yell at the doctor I was losing blood pressure. I went into tunnel it was black. I was moving at high rate of speed. I couldn't understand what was going on. All of a sudden I didn't care, I felt so peaceful. I saw light at end of tunnel and wondered what that was. It was very small. I thought I can't fit through that hole. That worried me. I finally realized I wasn't in my body. About that time, they zapped me with the defibrillator. I woke up to everybody crying. After surgery the next day, they got me up and made me walk. The first thing I said to my wife and kids was forgive me for what I was.

Background Information:

Gender: Male

Date NDE Occurred: Nov 28, 1989

NDE Elements:

At the time of your experience, was there an associated life-threatening event? Yes Surgery-related Heart attack had stint put in and it failed. Had to wait for elevator when i left body wondering what is this. Then realized how good i felt. saw light at end. Clinical death (cessation of breathing or heart function or brain function) Heart stopped and blood pressure went to zero. Just as fast as they could they zapped me and boom I was back. Took me downstairs when doctor got another emergency. He ran off and left me. People watched me run out in the hall and found another heart surgeon. He did two bypasses.

How do you consider the content of your experience? Wonderful

Did you feel separated from your body? Yes I clearly left my body and existed outside it

How did your highest level of consciousness and alertness during the experience compare to your normal everyday consciousness and alertness? More consciousness and alertness than normal I was at peace. I was sorry for all things in my past I had done.

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness? About one minute.

Were your thoughts speeded up? Neither

Did time seem to speed up or slow down? Neither

Were your senses more vivid than usual? More so than usual

Please compare your vision during the experience to your everyday vision that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience. It was pitch black.

Please compare your hearing during the experience to your everyday hearing that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience. I heard only my thoughts, nothing else.

Did you seem to be aware of things going on elsewhere? Neither

Did you pass into or through a tunnel? Yes Dark black tunnel with light at end.

Did you see any beings in your experience? Neither

Did you encounter or become aware of any deceased (or alive) beings? No

Did you see, or feel surrounded by, a brilliant light? Neither

Did you see an unearthly light? Yes It was very small at first getting larger as I went. When they zapped me it still wasn't big enough for me to go through.

Did you seem to enter some other, unearthly world? Unfamiliar, strange place

What emotions did you feel during the experience? Explained above.

Did you have a feeling of peace or pleasantness? Incredible peace or pleasantness

Did you have a feeling of joy? Incredible joy

Did you feel a sense of harmony or unity with the universe? No longer in conflict with nature

Did you suddenly seem to understand everything? Everything about the universe

Did scenes from your past come back to you? Neither

Did scenes from the future come to you? Neither

Did you come to a border or point of no return? Neither

God, Spiritual and Religion:

What was your religion prior to your experience? Moderate

Have your religious practices changed since your experience? Yes I am devout catholic.

What is your religion now? Conservative/fundamentalist

Did you have a change in your values and beliefs because of your experience? Yes I am devout catholic.

Did you seem to encounter a mystical being or presence, or hear an unidentifiable voice? Neither

Did you see deceased or religious spirits? Neither

Concerning our Earthly lives other than Religion

During your experience, did you gain special knowledge or information about your purpose? No

Have your relationships changed specifically because of your experience? Yes I love family and the lord.

After the NDE:

Was the experience difficult to express in words? No

Do you have any psychic, non-ordinary or other special gifts after your experience that you did not have before the experience? No

Have you ever shared this experience with others? Yes Three days. Some laughed and said at end of tunnel I would fall straight down.

Did you have any knowledge of near death experience (NDE) prior to your experience? No

What did you believe about the reality of your experience shortly (days to weeks) after it happened? Experience was definitely real I went to church and entered into family faith catholic.

What do you believe about the reality of your experience now? Experience was definitely real God was giving me a new chance to redeem myself.

At any time in your life, has anything ever reproduced any part of the experience? No