Freddy B NDE

Experience Description

Without going into graphic detail, I want to share my up-close and personal experience undergoing a video urodynamic testing procedure at a city hospital.

To provide some background, I have lived with a spinal cord injury for 20 years. This has caused nerve damage that affects many parts of my body and its functions. I have had more than 10 spinal surgeries, and both sides of my spine are fused through five levels. As a result of the injury, I experience significant bladder function issues. My doctor recommended video urodynamic testing to better understand which functions remain.

In October 2024, I stopped taking all medications after spending 20 years in constant pain and trying nearly every medication available. Since then, I have been managing my pain and stress without medication, which has been extremely challenging.

For the procedure, I had to drive approximately three hours to a large, densely populated city that is very different from the quieter area where I live. I stayed in a hotel that had a flat, hard bed and lacked the electric adjustable bed I normally use. I skipped my usual morning coffee, which I typically rely on to function throughout the day. I also struggled with constipation that morning, which added to my discomfort and stress.

I was exhausted, sleep-deprived, and already feeling overwhelmed. I had not been allowed to drink coffee, which I usually consume in large amounts by that time of day. I had to fill my bladder for the test, which added to my discomfort, and then drive to the hospital during morning rush hour traffic. After arriving at the hospital parking structure, I had to drive up and down five levels to find a parking spot. The elevators only reached certain floors, which made it even more frustrating.

Eventually, I located the correct department. I changed into a thin gown and housecoat, then waited in a cold room. When I was finally called in, I was asked to sit on a regular chair across from a nurse who began going through several pages of intake questions. I had not expected to complete paperwork at this point, and the stress of the situation made it very difficult to concentrate. After answering about two pages of questions, I told the nurse I needed to urinate badly, as I had been holding it for a while in preparation for the test.

They then had me move to a special exam bed where I sat with my legs hanging off the edge while lying back. The nurse inserted a rectal device to take measurements. This was extremely painful, especially as I was constipated and suffering from hemorrhoids. They then explained that they would insert a large catheter, then remove it in order to place a smaller one required for the imaging. Both catheter insertions were excruciating. The pain felt like a burning, ripping pressure that continued even after the catheter was in place. There was no freezing or numbing, and I was fully awake and unmedicated throughout the process.

Because of my limited mobility, I could not see what was happening. However, I realized that the nurse had secured the catheter with a large piece of thick, shiny, pink medical tape that was applied directly to the most sensitive part of my body. When I asked about it, she confirmed it was tape and explained that it was necessary to keep the catheter in place during imaging.

I was then instructed to walk to another room for the X-ray process, still wearing the catheter and tape. I was shaking, freezing, and in severe pain. After the procedure was complete, I sat on the exam machine, shivering. The nurse told me she was going to remove the devices. She quickly pulled out the rectal probe, which hurt badly. Before I had time to process that pain, she ripped off the tape and removed the catheter in one motion. The pain was overwhelming and immediate.

Shortly after, I began to lose consciousness.

As I fainted, I experienced a vivid vision. I was inside what looked like a 1950s-style house with green painted walls, dark wood trim, and worn tile or vinyl floors. Children, possibly between three and five years old, were happily playing on the floor, dressed in formal clothing. I felt peaceful and comforted. Then a white blur began to grow in the center of my vision. The children became quieter. I began to see metal shapes emerge through the light. There was a fuzzy face to my right, and I suddenly felt like I was being pulled away from this peaceful place. I did not want to leave. I felt sad, as if I was being taken away from somewhere I belonged.

The blurry face became clearer. A nurse was tapping on my chest and repeating, “Stay with me.” I could now see her hair, and there was a doctor to my front right. A strong man was holding my shoulders to keep me upright in a sitting position. I noticed a total of about six people in the room. I remember seeing the heart monitor displaying a rate of 24 beats per minute, slowly increasing to 27, then 29. The doctor reminded me to breathe. Someone else mentioned “five minutes.” I heard the words “crash cart.” Someone said, “Put him in room number three; we don’t usually use it.” There was discussion about whether to send me to the emergency room, but they decided to keep me under observation for a while.

They laid me on a stretcher and tilted it so that blood could return to my brain. They checked on me every five minutes. After about 20 minutes, they handed me a bag with my clothes, directed me to the changing room, and then discharged me.

I drove home directly, a journey of about four hours. I was in a fog, unable to shake the vivid memory of the children playing in that quiet house.

After doing some research, I believe I experienced an episode of neurocardiogenic syncope, also known as vasovagal syncope. This is a form of fainting triggered by an overreaction of the nervous system. It causes a sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure, leading to a temporary loss of consciousness. I have experienced blood pressure drops and “tunnel vision” episodes before, but never anything this intense.

The overwhelming stress of chronic pain, the difficult journey, the unexpected intensity of the procedure, and especially the painful removal of the catheter and tape overwhelmed my already overtaxed system. The result was one of the most frightening experiences I have ever had.

Background Information:

Gender: Male

Date NDE Occurred: 03/14/2025

NDE Elements:

At the time of your experience, was there an associated life-threatening event? No. Hospital procedure

How do you consider the content of your experience? Both pleasant AND distressing

Did you feel separated from your body? No No

How did your highest level of consciousness and alertness during the experience compare to your normal everyday consciousness and alertness? Less consciousness and alertness than normal. Everything felt older, like a Norman Rockwell painting of children; a very relaxed and simpler time

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness? The end

Were your thoughts speeded up? No

Did time seem to speed up or slow down? No

Were your senses More vivid than usual? No

Please compare your vision during the experience to your everyday vision that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience. Less light and an older type of life, I feel even older than my childhood of the 1970’s

Please compare your hearing during the experience to your everyday hearing that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience. Muffled most of the time kind of like echoes

Did you seem to be aware of things going on elsewhere? No

Did you pass into or through a tunnel? Uncertain Coming back way, like being pulled backward physically through one reality into my normal reality the place I started out in.

Did you see any beings in your experience? No

Did you encounter or become aware of any deceased (or alive) beings? Uncertain Don’t know who the children were

Did you see, or feel surrounded by, a brilliant light? No

Did you see an unearthly light? No

Did you seem to enter some other, unearthly world? Some unfamiliar and strange place. An older reality perhaps

What emotions did you feel during the experience? Happy then sad and very lost

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

Did you have a feeling of joy? Happiness

Did you feel a sense of harmony or unity with the universe? I felt united or one with the world

Did you suddenly seem to understand everything? No

Did scenes from your past come back to you? No It felt familiar yet I can’t place it

Did scenes from the future come to you? No

Did you come to a border or point of no return? No

God, Spiritual and Religion:

What was your religion prior to your experience? Christian- Other Christian Relaxed born again Christian

Have your religious practices changed since your experience? No

What is your religion now? Christian- Other Christian

Did your experience include features consistent with your earthly beliefs? Content that was both consistent and not consistent with the beliefs you had at the time of your experience. I was surprised that it was so simple and an uncomplicated life; just kids being happy and playing nicely. Very relaxing yet I find kids playing very stressful and annoyingly loud.

Did you have a change in your values and beliefs because of your experience? No

Did you seem to encounter a mystical being or presence, or hear an unidentifiable voice? No

Did you see deceased or religious spirits? No

Did you encounter or become aware of any beings who previously lived on earth who are described by name in religions (for example: Jesus, Muhammad, Buddha, etc.)? No

During your experience, did you gain information about premortal existence? No

During your experience, did you gain information about universal connection or oneness? No

During your experience, did you gain information about the existence of God? No

Concerning our Earthly lives other than Religion:

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

During your experience, did you gain information about the meaning of life? No

During your experience, did you gain information about an afterlife? Uncertain I was somewhere different and I was a different person or child

Did you gain information about how to live our lives? No

During your experience, did you gain information about life's difficulties, challenges and hardships? No

During your experience, did you gain information about love? No

What life changes occurred in your life after your experience? No changes in my life. Perhaps too soon or not significant enough to give me anything other than questions and wonderment if that’s what is waiting for me at the end. What was this room or place? Could it be Where the non-assigned essence of who we are sit in limbo till reassignment.

Have your relationships changed specifically because of your experience? No

After the NDE:

Was the experience difficult to express in words? Uncertain Hard to understand

How accurately do you remember the experience in comparison to other life events that occurred around the time of the experience? I remember the experience as accurately as other life events that occurred around the time of the experience. As of this moment this brief time through the eyes of a child into contentment feels no different as a memory than finding a parking spot that morning.

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

Are there one or several parts of your experience that are especially meaningful or significant to you? The feeling that getting pulled away back to reality was the wrong thing

Have you ever shared this experience with others? Yes My family yesterday

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

What do you believe about the reality of your experience now? Experience was definitely real

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

kp2b13o_nde