Does anybody have any patient near-death experience stories?

[SMAC92]

Lately, I have been fascinated this topic, and am curious to see if anybody has experienced this phenomena within their patients. I am strictly looking for religious/celestial experiences. Death bed visions also interest me greatly.

[emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Since my post above, I've spoken to 3 other patients who were successfully resuscitated (in my presence) and none of them had any memories of the event or any otherworldly experiences.

[kakamegamama]

My youngest daughter saw her grandma (who had been ill) standing in her room early one morning--around 4:45 or so--and comforting her. We received word about 2 hours later that Grandma had passed away around that time. My husband had waited to call so that our kids would not be awakened by a phone call.

The night my husband died, as I was doing CPR and frantic for help to come, I felt hands on my shoulders. When I turned to tell the police officer what had happened, there was no one there. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Comforter (who Jesus said would come) was the one whose hands I felt. I felt that again at the graveside of my husband 2 weeks later.

[LouDogg, BSN, RN]

Loaded question - (Can of worms opened)

Usually, a rush of happiness, painlessness, or content is reached due to the rush release of endorphins/hormones just prior to death.

Any visions people experience, or claim to experience, can be contributed to "dream state". Just as the brain is active and processing thoughts, images, memories (suppressed/surfaced) during normal sleep, the brain is still very active with neurons/hormones/ and other neurotransmitters firing away as the person is dying….

There is nobody that comforts you, or comes to guide you to any light. People hold onto that warm fuzzy story as a way to comfort others/themselves into accepting the ugly reality of death… Or similarly, the acceptance of religion, or the currently popular monotheism, to blur the pains of reality...

I should mention, it is well known that hallucinations are common when the body is shutting down or simply drowning in medications or illness….. These hallucinations are caused by misfiring of struggling/degenerating neurons….

However, even in healthy people, if one tries hard enough, he/she will successfully convince his/herself into believe anything that makes that person feel better about stressful/confusing situations…. Same thing goes for the troops in Iraq, or in WWII. The Bush's and Hitler (not limited to these leaders) used a similar psychological coup to convince the American Troops/Nazi Regime they were doing the right thing in killing the middle eastern people/jews. They (soldiers) convinced themselves that meaningless murder and genocide was a wonderful and great thing, and they were actually doing god's work in spreading influence/purifying the human race.

It's a bit of an extreme example, absolutely true and relevant. To me, the psychological controlling influence of religion and patriot war crimes are frighteningly similar. And we find that one typically drives the other...

But back to death…. that's it… You die, the end… body molecules returned to the environment, and the cycle continues...

Just my opinion based on scientific, psychological and sociological evidence…. I truly do not mean to offend any theists or war supporters...

I have had family pass, and patients pass. Although, I'm sure they would have felt better with a sherpa guide to the heavens, it simply did not happen...

My aunt, very religious, says she heard her brother (my father) speak to her after death, and tell her everything was ok, and he was not in pain anymore..

I was there, I didn't hear anything… Although, I would have loved some comforting hand holding me, or voice to soothe me, there was none. She believed enough to convince herself….. It helped my aunt soothe her pain. That said, I understand why and how a person can convince self of just about anything. Truth hurts, and is very scary… But as far as reality is concerned, it wasn't there.

[tnbutterfly - Mary, BSN]

J Friday ...... This is only your opinion, since you have obviously not died and do not know what happens shortly before, during, and after death.

You say that your aunt is a religious person. I translate to mean she was a woman of faith. That could be why she heard felt a comforting presence.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

I once took care of a 46 year old male who dropped dead on the golf course....was successfully resuscitated...multiple times. Coded in the cath lab and was wheeled into the OR in and out of V-fib. He had a rough surgical course and when he awoke in the ICU he wrote detailed descriptions bout the OR, the colors on the monitor and getting them right. He describes the OR to a T right down to where everyone stood. He kept writing about the Black pump man. This took us a little longer to figure out.

The perfusionist that night was from a sister hospital from the surgical group. He was a black man.

The patient reported no pain and said he was at peace...and that he walked around the room.

The surgeons refused to talk about it. I am convinced this patient experienced something other worldly. Blame it on whatever biological process you want...but this guy KNEW that OR and the peace that surrounded him. He talked about not being afraid and being at peace.

He sadly didn't make it.

YEARS later I got a letter addressed to me at that facility. It was from his daughter. She was about 12 at the time of her fathers death. She wrote to thank me for caring for her Dad and told me she had graduated nursing school and was in the pediactric oncology unit ICU at a large teaching facility. She thanked me for the inspiration to be a nurse.

I have never forgot either of them.

While taking care of my Grandmother at the end we had a family reunion of deceased relatives every night for about a week at 3 am...which included soft boiled eggs and a beer with the fresh eggs my cousin brought to the house.

She passed a week later...at 3am.

[NightNurseRN13]

J Friday, I tend to believe like you do, but what a way to go! I hope I go out with some great story... better than dying alone and fearful.

[kakamegamama]

JFriday--- you may call our experiences what you wish. Your thoughts/beliefs/opinions do not remove the reality of them. And no, nothing was manufactured in my mind at the time---I was too busy trying to save my husband's life.

[cannolis]

I'm just here to say I love this thread. I really wonder about strange experiences those that work night shift have too.

@J Friday - Sorry to say, your post does not explain why several patients experience the same visions another patient has had. It also does not explain why people are able to see patients that have previously died in the hospital or even doctors/nurses who used to work there without ever knowing them.

[kaybeyond]

Loved reading everyones stories and experiences. Whether you believe it is supernatural or biochemical, it is definately fascinating! My own experience with near death events happened while taking care of my dad in the last three months of CHF. In his last 5 days he did experience some confusion and anxiety.... It seemed to all revolve around the idea of being called away to some important business that needed him. I would go with the flow, let him know how we were going to make arrangements for him to get his work done and administer the meds the Hospice nurse left with me for anxiety. At that time, I was taking things moment by moment and wasn't aware that these were his final days. On a Friday, I knew. Dad's last remaining leg strength to get to his power chair was gone and he was now bedridden. On Sunday we sat together while he picked at some breakfast and tried to drink his coffee from a sippy cup. He had such a sense of grace and humor about every change. As he slept his apnea increased and the rattle started. When he was in a breathing period he was working hard at breathing with his eyes closed and would not respond to my voice. But the most fascinating part was that when he was NOT breathing, which could go for 20 seconds or more, he would open his eyes, scanning slowly a few feet back and forth. All of his facial movements were in slow motion but he would mouth words with such a joyful expression and had the most amazing look of delight. No air was coming out, not a whisper and his muscles were too weak for me to lip read anything. He even did a slow mo, no air laugh once. The last time I roused him from that state, he looked at me and said..."the colors! So many colors!" Those were his last words to me. I didn't have the heart to rouse him again. He died a few hours later. I was so grateful to see his joy and delight. The impression I had was that he was meeting up with people he knew and it made him really happy! He finished his life with as much grace as he lived and I was honored to witness it. I am just beginning my nursing journey but I hope to work with Hospice and support those caring for their loved ones someday.

[Cream and sugar LPN]

Loved reading everyones stories and experiences. Whether you believe it is supernatural or biochemical, it is definately fascinating! My own experience with near death events happened while taking care of my dad in the last three months of CHF. In his last 5 days he did experience some confusion and anxiety.... It seemed to all revolve around the idea of being called away to some important business that needed him. I would go with the flow, let him know how we were going to make arrangements for him to get his work done and administer the meds the Hospice nurse left with me for anxiety. At that time, I was taking things moment by moment and wasn't aware that these were his final days. On a Friday, I knew. Dad's last remaining leg strength to get to his power chair was gone and he was now bedridden. On Sunday we sat together while he picked at some breakfast and tried to drink his coffee from a sippy cup. He had such a sense of grace and humor about every change. As he slept his apnea increased and the rattle started. When he was in a breathing period he was working hard at breathing with his eyes closed and would not respond to my voice. But the most fascinating part was that when he was NOT breathing, which could go for 20 seconds or more, he would open his eyes, scanning slowly a few feet back and forth. All of his facial movements were in slow motion but he would mouth words with such a joyful expression and had the most amazing look of delight. No air was coming out, not a whisper and his muscles were too weak for me to lip read anything. He even did a slow mo, no air laugh once. The last time I roused him from that state, he looked at me and said..."the colors! So many colors!" Those were his last words to me. I didn't have the heart to rouse him again. He died a few hours later. I was so grateful to see his joy and delight. The impression I had was that he was meeting up with people he knew and it made him really happy! He finished his life with as much grace as he lived and I was honored to witness it. I am just beginning my nursing journey but I hope to work with Hospice and support those caring for their loved ones someday.

This really moved me so much. Thank you for sharing such a personal experience!

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

I have attended many people that were actively dying.

I knew it was the end when they would stop looking at me, look past me and say...

"Uncle Joe! What are You doing here"?

Firmly believe we are escorted to the other side.

O

[ArtClassRN, ADN, RN]

I've worked as a home hospice aide and have cared for many dying patients in the hospital, many of whom passed away.

One thing I will never do is create spooky stories, narratives, or project my beliefs onto them and then share those things for entertainment.

I find it hideous and disrespectful.