Thomas C NDE

Experience Description

I was waiting for hip surgery while on the operating table. I was talking to the anesthesiologist when everything went dark. The lights came on and the operating room was empty. I couldn't figure out where everyone went. I got off the table and headed for a door. I pushed open the door and fell.

I landed on grass and found myself in Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon. I was wearing a hospital gown and I couldn't understand why no one could see me. I started to walk over to one of the shelters where funerals take place for veterans. I noticed a large gathering was taking place. I walked over and could see my wife and my step-daughter crying. I started to freak out as I realize it was my funeral. I tried to get their attention but there was no sound; it was absolute silence. Then, everything went dark again.

This time I could see from a different angle. I watched my parents arguing in a room. The room had concrete blocks for walls that were painted white. I couldn't exactly hear what was being said but it almost seemed as if I was in my mother's womb. I was being presented with various scenes that seemed to go on forever. (I'm going to save this part for a book.) At the end, I became woozy and blacked out. I woke up in a chair. There was a woman in a nurse's uniform with a dark blue sweater who was standing in a dark room. She started to talk to me but her mouth wasn't moving. She told me that I was being sent back because iIt wasn't my time yet.

I blacked out again and then woke up on a couch. I couldn't move. Later, I realized this must be part of my coma experience. This went on for a while. Then, I saw this really bright light as if I was looking directly at the sun. I opened my eyes and my wife was crying while holding my dog tags and my hands. She could barely get the word out as she said, 'Hi.' The doctors explained to me that I had a massive pulmonary embolism and an ischemic stroke. I had stopped breathing. I was at the Veteran's Administration and had to be rushed to a medical university hospital so they could perform open-heart surgery to remove the blood clots. I barely survived what is called a Widowmaker. Now, I am fully recovered. The doctors told me that I am a medical marvel.

Background Information:

Gender: Male

Date NDE Occurred: 08/31/2016

NDE Elements:

At the time of your experience, was there an associated life-threatening event? Yes Illness CPR given Clinical death (cessation of breathing or heart function) I was on the operating waiting for hip surgery. Just before being given anesthesia, I had a massive pulmonary embolism and an ischemic stroke. I stopped breathing.

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

Did you feel separated from your body? Yes

How did your highest level of consciousness and alertness during the experience compare to your normal everyday consciousness and alertness? Normal consciousness and alertness. I felt protected.

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness? During the whole event.

Were your thoughts speeded up? No

Did time seem to speed up or slow down? No

Were your senses More vivid than usual? Incredibly more vivid

Please compare your vision during the experience to your everyday vision that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience. I could see even though I wasn't wearing glasses

Please compare your hearing during the experience to your everyday hearing that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience. Some of the time, it was silent. But, I was able to hear most of the time.

Did you seem to be aware of things going on elsewhere, as if by ESP? No

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? Yes I saw my father from a past event.

Did you see, or feel surrounded by, a brilliant light? An unusually bright light

Did you see an unearthly light? Yes Just before I woke up in the hospital

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

What emotions did you feel during the experience? I'm not really sure. A mixture of many.

Did you have a feeling of peace or pleasantness? Relief or calmness

Did you have a feeling of joy? Happiness

Did you feel a sense of harmony or unity with the universe? No

Did you suddenly seem to understand everything? Everything about myself or others. I understand how the universe works.

Did scenes from your past come back to you? My past flashed before me, out of my control. I wasn't able to verify it but it was entirely possible.

Did scenes from the future come to you? Scenes from my personal future. I saw my family and what life would be like if I had died.

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

God, Spiritual and Religion:

What was your religion prior to your experience? Other or several faiths: Free Thinking Spiritualist

What is your religion now? Other or several faiths: Free Thinking Spiritualist

Did your experience include features consistent with your earthly beliefs? Content that was entirely not consistent with the beliefs you had at the time of your experience. I didn't see a white tunnel.

Did you have a change in your values and beliefs because of your experience? Yes I've become more spiritual.

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. I talked to a nurse but she didn't move her mouth.

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

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? Yes I am able to hear spirits now where I wasn't able to do that before.

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

During your experience, did you gain information about an afterlife? I was uncertain if an afterlife exists

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? Large changes in my life

Have your relationships changed specifically because of your experience? Yes

After the NDE:

Was the experience difficult to express in words? No

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 more accurately than other life events that occurred around the time of the experience.

Do you have any psychic, non-ordinary or other special gifts after your experience that you did not have before the experience? Yes I can feel emotions more and I can hear spirits. Clairsentient.

Are there one or several parts of your experience that are especially meaningful or significant to you? I had a near death experience and I am able to share my experience.

Have you ever shared this experience with others? Yes A couple weeks.

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. It was an amazing experience.

What do you believe about the reality of your experience now? Experience was definitely real. I'm not sure why. Maybe it was an accident and the universe was correcting itself.

Is there anything else that you would like to add about your experience? Yes

Did the questions asked and information that you provided accurately and comprehensively describe your experience? Uncertain Help me share my experience.

Are there any other questions that we could ask to help you communicate your experience? My family and I are closer.