Judi T's NDE

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Probable stroke/definite unconsciousness

Experience description: 

At the time of the experience, I was working in a highly stressful job and had just returned from overseas after many months of hectic traveling and taxing negotiations with no relief.

The next night, on the 15th September, I was putting my young children to sleep on my bed when I fell asleep myself. A few minutes later my husband came in and began to take the little ones to their room. As he moved the first one, the flesh on the left side of my body began to 'scream'. It felt as if it was twisting upon itself. Almost immediately, I popped out of my body (this was not the first time that I have had an NDE- I've had one more that I remember. Also, I've always had spiritual experiences including a past life memory which an aunt reminded me of).

I popped out through the top of my head, through the wall of the house (the bed was set against the wall), stood up and spoke to a white cloud-like, human-shaped figure outlined in blue (I've now come to understand that that was one of my guardian angels). I asked him to help me because my body was dying (there was no uncertainty about his desire or ability to help). He replied "For so long He has been telling you to come out. Now, look at what is happening to you".

Immediately (i) I knew I knew him and he knew me and that it was good and in order that it was so (ii) I knew he was referring to the job that God had instructed me to leave in January 1997. But I had been trying to get away with keeping the job. (iii) I got a bit irritated because I felt that at this crisis point it was unfair to scold me.

So I said "ok, ok, I'll come out. I'll leave. just help me with my body" He told me to go back in and try to call my husband. I did this but the left side of my mouth was 'failing' and  I had no control over it and could not form the words. I jumped back out and said the mouth is not working . I could see through the wall of the house into our bedroom where my husband continued to carry the children over and he then told me to go back in and try the brain. I went in and tried to call my husband with my brain but, it sounded like an old record being played on a wrong, slower speed. Again, I popped out thinking "OH boy this is it - adios amigos". I told him that the brain was no longer working and then he said "Okay, go back in. I'll take over". I reentered my body and strangely I was able to do 'localized' thinking (not remote, like trying to call someone). I asked God not to die but that if I must, to let me last till morning, so that the children would not have the trauma of their mom dying during the night without telling them good bye. I said 'Father, not my will but yours be done. Into your hands I commend my spirit" and then knew nothing until my husband came to bed. The whole thing lasted about twenty minutes.

When my husband came to bed I apparently revived and told him that I was not feeling well (he confirmed the statement the following morning) and seemed to go unconscious. The next thing I knew was that I awoke. It was morning and I was checking to see if I was "really still here". I went outside to "investigate the world",  feeling a little tired as if I had just been jogging. Outside the hills, trees and flowers looked extra bright and I was glad to be back.

I contacted my sister ( a medical doctor) and told her what had happened. She took me through a series of tests but finding the responses too slow on my left side immediately sent me for a CAT scan. The results showed a spot consistent with calcification (hardening) of the brain. Subsequent tests- ECG, EKG and MRI - gave me the all clear.

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

Was the kind of experience difficult to express in words? No

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

I was experiencing a wrenching pain on my left side that seemed to be a stroke

What was your level of consciousness and alertness during the experience?           Coming out of sleep but full consciousness and alertness once the excruciating pain began.

            Was the experience dream like in any way?   Yes. The lights of the room were out and there was no hearing physical sound either from my husband or myself using my ears. There was a high-pitched whine though as the flesh was 'screaming'.

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

I was aware that my shape was as normal. However, I didn't focus on that appearance since, I was more concerned with trying to get help for the physical body.

Did you hear any unusual sounds or noises?           The high pitched whine when the flesh was screaming and just before I popped out of my body

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

             Describe:      On the two occasions that I remember leaving my body through death, I didn't 'do the tunnel'. It seems more as if the experiences have been 'time outs' or just a check with 'headquarters' (smile).

Did you see a light?           Yes

To the left of me, a bit forward and at the back right of the 'helper' (the angel)

Did you meet or see any other beings?           Yes

A figure - he was standing as if he was specially assigned to look after me. I only remembered that I knew 'him' (i.e. his essence) after he started scolding me. Maybe I recognized 'his attitude'-smile-. He instructed me, helped me, protected me and carried me through the experience. I knew what he told me to do were the correct things to do under the circumstances but, I was panicking a bit too much to think things through for myself.

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?          Yes

Yes my husband moving the second and third children. My mother whom I had also tried to call told me the next morning that around the time this was happening ( I confirmed her time with my husband) she felt an urgent alarm that I was in trouble'. She immediately turned off the television and insisted that my father join her in immediate prayer for me.

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

Yes. The wall was transparent to me while out of the body. It was like the negative of a photograph.

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

Not during the event but afterwards yes.

Did you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure? Uncertain

I seemed to be speaking to the angel in a limited area. We didn't need or want more space but it did appear confined. Crossing the boundary which was on my left was not an issue because we were concerned about the body which was on my right inside the bedroom inside the house.

Did you become aware of future events?       Uncertain

I've grown more confident in understanding and believing indications that I receive of the future in my life and in the lives of others

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

As 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

It was not the first time that I had had an NDE and also, I've always had interesting spiritual experiences. Now I just understand them better and trust the messages more

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

Yes time is no longer important. I don't wear watches. I know that everyone has a purpose.  I know that some people have been and are being born with a special assignment to uplift the world.

How has the experience affected your relationships? Daily life? Religious practices? Career choices?       I've made several positive changes.

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

Yes. Better family relationships.

Have you shared this experience with others?         Yes

They believe them because they are already familiar with such experiences

What emotions did you experience following your experience?  Peace, gratitude and a desire to obey

What was the best and worst part of your experience?      Worst part the screaming flesh. Best part the whole encounter

Is there anything else you would like to add concerning the experience?        No

 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

 Please offer any suggestions you may have to improve this questionnaire.    The questionnaire is very comprehensive.

Can you describe more fully about how you know you died?

Hi Jody

There was in fact no one present who could clinically certify that I was dead. Indeed it was in that sense a 'private affair' - my husband did not even appreciate the extent of it .. and I had 'slept' (when I awoke it felt more like being unconscious) fort the entire night with my head on his shoulder. The incident took place at night at home and by the morning I had seemed to have recovered except for the after effects I described in my account.

I must say though, that from that experience it is clear that humans are aware that they are dying at the moment that they are dying. The feelings of the moment cannot be confused with any other sensation such as fainting or going to sleep, for example. The dying sensations seem to be unique and definitely identifiable. 

Several months after the experience, I was listening to a TV documentary on which they were describing the symptoms of an impending stroke. Every single symptom described including the sort of 'lift off and float' that one can experience while walking, was a symptom that I had been experiencing prior to the NDE.

I had in fact been in a job which while I had been enjoying it, I had also started reacting quite stressfully to some elements of the responsibilities.
 

Hope this helps.

Judith