Experience description: 

I had gone into the hospital to have my tubes tied.  My husband later told me  that he almost came back to keep me from having the surgery.  The surgeon inserted a needle into my abdomen to insert gas to swell the stomach in preparation for the surgery.  Missing, he sent an air bubble to my heart causing me to be clinically dead for 4 minutes.  The surgeon immediately called my husband telling him there was a complication and he should get to the hospital as quickly as possible.  My husband couldn't even describe his reaction to seeing me in bed thrashing and the nurses were in the process of restraining my arms (I had already pulled a tube out of my mouth breaking a capped tooth).  Upon hearing his voice and (I assume) feeling his caress, I immediately relaxed. 

I was in a coma for almost 2 days. My feeling now is that my NDE happened before my husband came and if he had not come, I might not be here today.  I remember floating above watching paddles being used on my chest, and watching the doctors reading the EKG machine from above.  I remember nurses doing "things" to me but I also saw the tunnel with the light and who should appear from it but my brother and sister whom I loved dearly and had lost in 1970.  They were so happy to see me, and I them.  I had been dreaming about them constantly for years (my sister had been killed in a car/train wreck and my brother died of cancer 6 months later and I missed them terribly).  We hugged and were holding hands and they were begging me to come with them. 

I started to go with them and then something stopped me (my husband?) and I told them I couldn't go because I had a baby (1 year old), a son (9 years old) and my husband and I wasn't ready to leave them.  They were sad but said of course I had to stay but they wouldn't be able to come to me anymore.  I have never had a dream about them since but I do believe my brother is "living" with us as I see his image from time to time.  I get goosebumps and teary every time I recall this incident but also treasure it because I know they are together.  I lost my father in 1999 and my mother in 2001. I never dream about my father (?) but often about my mother and she tells me my brother and sister are now with her.  This gives me great warmth. 

Before my mother passed though, maybe 5 years ago on our wedding anniversary my husband and I were at odds but in the kitchen together preparing our celebration dinner, he at the sink with his back to me and me faced the other direction at the stove) when, at the same time (we found out later) we both felt someone tap us on the shoulder - and it was a definite tap with pressure.  I turned to see if he was behind me but he was at the sink (he didn't react because he knew if he turned around I would be there and he wasn't talking to me!!!)   I feel that was either my sister or brother telling us to straighten up!  About a year after that I was sitting at the computer and my husband was behind me when I felt another tap and turned to see what he was doing - he was no where in sight but almost immediately after (maybe 1 minute) he called from the bathroom asking me why I was coming into the bedroom when I was supposed to be looking something up on the computer.  He STILL isn't a believer.

Any associated medications or substances with the potential to affect the experience?     No

Was the kind of experience difficult to express in words? Yes

Because it was so real and I realized later it was my husband caressing me that actually "brought" me and my thoughts back.

At the time of this experience, was there an associated life threatening event?          Yes

I had gone into cardiac arrest from a surgeon sending an air bubble to my heart.

What was your level of consciousness and alertness during the experience?           I still vividly remember it.

            Was the experience dream like in any way?   Yes

Did you experience a separation of your consciousness from your body?     Yes

This is explained above.  I was above my body watching things being done to me.

Did you hear any unusual sounds or noises?           no

Did you pass into or through a tunnel or enclosure?          No response

            Describe:      I didn't go all of the way through but went into it - there were definite "walls"

Did you see a light?           Yes, a bright sunlight - very warm

Did you meet or see any other beings?           Yes, Described above

Did you experience a review of past events in your life?    No

Did you observe or hear anything regarding people or events during your experience that could be verified later?          No

Did you see or visit any beautiful or otherwise distinctive locations, levels or dimensions?           No

Did you have any sense of altered space or time?   Yes, Altered space - the "tunnel"

Did you have a sense of knowing, special knowledge, universal order and/or purpose?    No

Did you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure? No

Did you become aware of future events?       No

Were you involved in or aware of a decision regarding your return to the body?       Yes

described above

Did you have any psychic, paranormal or other special gifts following the experience that you did not have prior to the experience?         No

Did you have any changes of attitudes or beliefs following the experience?   Yes

If it's not a life or death situation, it's just not worth getting angry or upset.

How has the experience affected your relationships? Daily life? Religious practices? Career choices?       I think I'm a more loving, caring, giving, thankful person.  I'm more willing to say yes than no.

Has your life changed specifically as a result of your experience?         No

Have you shared this experience with others?         Yes

Some told me of their feelings and were glad they had found someone they could talk to without feeling weird.

What was the best and worst part of your experience?      best part - seeing my sister and brother    worst - not getting to "see" (dream about them) anymore.

Following the experience, have you had any other events in your life, medications or substances which reproduced any part of the experience?         No

Did the questions asked and information you provided accurately and comprehensively describe your experience?               Yes