Todd H's NDE

EXPERIENCE DESCRIPTION:

            I was in the hospital.  Doctors were performing a procedure to see what was going on in my lungs.  When they started the procedure, I went into respiratory arrest.  Time slowed.  With each beat of my heart, there was pain pulsating throughout my body.  The pain was extreme.  I cried out to God to stop the pain.  I was scared I was going to die; die alone.  My mind flooded with thoughts.  The past and my missed future.  All of a sudden, the pain disappeared.  I was told all my thoughts were in the past; that none of that mattered anymore.  It was so peaceful.  I felt the presence of others.  They were close but so far away.  I did not recognize them, but I knew they were familiar.  I was told, "You will suffer in silence".  I survived.  All of this happened during the Anthrax attacks of 2001.  My illness was undiagnosed.  I was in a coma for two weeks.  I, in no way whatsoever, am afraid to die at this point.  I know we continue to exist after death.  It's a very different place.  However, I am afraid of how I will die.  The pain is extreme until it goes away and death is close.

Was the kind of experience difficult to express in words? Yes     The whole experience.  A lot happened in a short period of time, even though time slowed.

At the time of this experience, was there an associated life threatening event?          Yes     Blood pressure fell to 35 over 20.  Multiple organ failure.

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness?    After the panic of certain death which I accepted.  Then the pain went away.

How did your highest level of consciousness and alertness during the experience compare to your normal every day consciousness and alertness?    More consciousness and alertness than normal

If your highest level of consciousness and alertness during the experience was different from your normal every day consciousness and alertness, please explain:            After the panic of certain death which I accepted.  Then the pain went away.

Did your vision differ in any way from your normal, everyday vision (in any aspect, such as clarity, field of vision, colors, brightness, depth perception degree of solidness/transparency of objects, etc.)?  No      

Did your hearing differ in any way from your normal, everyday hearing (in any aspect, such as clarity, ability to recognize source of sound, pitch, loudness, etc.)?
            Yes     Even though time slowed I was able to hear those around me.  It's like I could have 20 thoughts in between each word someone else spoke.  A nurse was saying my pressure was falling.  I heard another say they need to intubate now.  I heard someone say dopamine drip.

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

What emotions did you feel during the experience?            I'm not sure.  With the "others" present, I felt safe.  I think there were there to comfort me.

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

Did you see a light?           Uncertain      I felt it was going to be next.  It was like I was in a holding place; between life and death.  I felt certain the light would be next.

Did you meet or see any other beings?           No       They were there.  I could not see or recognize them, but I knew them to be familiar.  There were many.

Did you experience a review of past events in your life?    Yes     I knew life would be tough for me from that point on.

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?            Uncertain      I spoke about that place between life and death previously.

Did you have any sense of altered space or time?   Yes     Time slowed down almost to a stop.

Did you have a sense of knowing special knowledge, universal order and/or purpose?     Yes     I'm sorry I just can't explain it in words.

Did you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure? No      

Did you become aware of future events?       Uncertain
            It has not happened yet.  It was more of a feeling.  A feeling that life here is about to change drastically.  For the worse, then much, much better.

Did you have any psychic, paranormal or other special gifts following the experience you did not have prior to the experience?     Uncertain      I still suffer from PTSD from the event.  I must get over it.  It's blocking my senses.

Have you shared this experience with others?         Yes    

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

How did you view the reality of your experience shortly (days to weeks) after it happened:            Experience was definitely real    I know it would have impacted my life profoundly.  However, there were other things that happened to cause PTSD to set in.

Were there one or several parts of the experience especially meaningful or significant to you?    I am no longer afraid of death.

How do you currently view the reality of your experience:            Experience was definitely real    I KNOW what happened to me was real.

Have your relationships changed specifically as a result of your experience?           Yes     Fewer friends, but better relationships with them.

Have your religious beliefs/practices changed specifically as a result of your experience?            Yes     I know there is a GOD.

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 so far accurately and comprehensively describe your experience?         Uncertain      It's very difficult to put my experience in words.  I am sure I did not cover everything to a degree that would enlighten anyone else to my experience.

Are there any other questions we could ask to help you communicate your experience?   not sure.