Norma B NDE

Experience Description

I was in the recovery room of a hospital after having a minor surgical procedure that required a general anesthetic. As I began to wake up, I realized I was having asthma. I slowed my breathing so the wheezing wouldn't get worse. All of a sudden, my body was paralyzed from the neck down. I could move my head but could not move my arms or legs or - my diaphragm. Unable to breathe in or out at all, I struggled for breath until I didn't need to breathe anymore.

At that moment, a great peace came over me. My head fell over to the right and down, and my consciousness (soul?) lifted to the right and up to the corner of the room, where I watched what was happening below. I thought about my two grown sons, neither of whom I had told about the surgery. It was an indifferent, wondering feeling to think how surprised they would be to learn I was dead. I watched as the two nurses near me suddenly realized there was a problem. 'Look at those splotches on her face!' 'She's not breathing!'

Then there was a flurry of activity as they called for the anesthesiologist. They pressed on my chest to resuscitate me. I started breathing again, was suddenly back in my body, and they were injecting adrenaline into my groin.

Background Information:

Gender: Female

Date NDE Occurred: 1982 or 1983

NDE Elements:

At the time of your experience, was there an associated life-threatening event? Yes Surgery-relatedAllergic reaction Clinical death (cessation of breathing or heart function or brain function) I stopped breathing.

How do you consider the content of your experience? Mixed

The experience included: Out of body experience

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? Normal consciousness and alertness As above.

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness? I remember everything from the struggle to breathe to being on the ceiling looking down just like it happened yesterday.

Were your thoughts speeded up? Incredibly fast

Did time seem to speed up or slow down? Everything seemed to be happening at once; or time stopped or lost all meaning

Were your senses more vivid than usual? Incredibly more vivid

Did you seem to be aware of things going on elsewhere? Yes, and the facts have been checked out

Did you pass into or through a tunnel? No

Did you see any beings in your experience? I actually saw them

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

Did you see, or feel surrounded by, a brilliant light? A light clearly of mystical or other-worldly origin

Did you see an unearthly light? No

Did you seem to enter some other, unearthly world? No

What emotions did you feel during the experience? Detachment from family, peace, relief.

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? Everything about the universe

Did scenes from your past come back to you? My past flashed before me, out of my control

Did scenes from the future come to you? Scenes from the world's future

Did you come to a border or point of no return? I came to a barrier that I was not permitted to cross; or was sent back against my will

God, Spiritual and Religion:

What was your religion prior to your experience? Conservative/fundamentalist Christian

Have your religious practices changed since your experience? No

What is your religion now? Conservative/fundamentalist Christian

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? I encountered a definite being, or a voice clearly of mystical or unearthly origin

Did you see deceased or religious spirits? I actually saw them

Concerning our Earthly lives other than Religion:

During your experience, did you gain special knowledge or information about your purpose? Yes I realize that death is a pleasant experience.

Have your relationships changed specifically because of your experience? Yes I have become closer to my family and my church.

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 I immediately told the nurses and doctor and anyone who would listen. They seemed interested, but it was like they were just humoring me.

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 My feelings have not changed in all the years since my experience. I can still recall exactly what happened.

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

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

Is there anything else that you would like to add about your experience? Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my experience.