Has a patient ever described a Near Death Experience to you?

FranEMTnurse, CNA, LPN, EMT-I · Sep 20, 2004

Has anyone ever had a patient who coded and came back and described a near death experience? I have several patients who coded and came back but none of them remembers anything about their eperience.
I was listening to Art Bell last night and the show was about NDE's: patients floating above their bodies during a code or on the OR table. It is very interesting.

Yes. It was sometime during the day in April 2001. I was already an inpatient, and suddenly became breathless and very heavy while pushing my wheelchair down the hall. I was already on oxygen, and was the reason for the wheelchair. I eventually made my way back to my room, and snuggled in my bed. I don't remember much after that until the following morning when my doctor entered my room, and asked me what happened. I related the incident to him, and said I feel like a fragile baby bird curled up in its nest, and was so weak I was unable to move.

My doctor ordered a stat CT scan. On my way to the test, my vital signs became very erratic. I was rushed down to the CT room, where 2 IV teams attempted to gain access to my veins. What veins didn't burst, rolled away.

The next step was my being rushed into the OR holding area to have a central line inserted. When the doctor approached, he asked me why I had a cervical collar on. I told him I have severe arthritis of the C spine. He said he wouldn't be able to the central line insertion. So I was once again returned to my room.

Struggling to breathe, and unable to even lift my head off my pillow, I was a total assist. Just as I was about to doze off, in came another crew with a gurney to take me downstairs for a lung perfusion scan. A pulmonologist was there, he listened to my breathing, and I was placed in the machine.

The odd thing about that traumatic and such an exhausting day, was that even though I felt that way, I also was a complete peace.

It was sometime during that very long day I saw a picture of myself sitting on the ground, leaning against a big tree where I dozed off. I was awakened by a voice that said He was going to take me on a tour of the earth to show me the different scenarios about what we as people get ourselves into, and what makes Him weep, laugh, smile, etc. I was now in the sky above the earth where it was so very bright and beautiful.

The picture He showed me was one composed of tan waferlike forms. He said that He was showing the (diarama if you will) this way so I could understand how He sees us, then telling me that we as humans are as fragile as the wafer forms.

During the tour, I was shown all of mankind in the different situations we seem to get ourselves into. One was that of what happens when we let our feelings lead us. It led to a very sad, lonely, vision.

Another showed people singing, laughing, and enjoying what they were doing. He said that was what pleased Him. They were looking to a higher power for guidance, and that was the outcome.

After the tour was over, He said I must go back, for my job was not yet finished. I didn't want to leave that place of peace and glory, but I had to. I woke up on the gurney, being transported to my room.

I just got settled back in my bed, when a Pulmonologist walked in and said, "You've got a bunch of blood clots in your lungs."

The PE was caused by massive doses of Solu-Medrol that I was receiving to reverse an earlier diagnosis of Status Asthmaticus. I have Chronic Asthmatic Bronchitis.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Sep 20, 2004

I've had a few patients describe the white light, and the feeling of peace. One guy said he wanted to go to the light, but God told him he was still needed here on earth. He reluctantly came back to his body, and could describe all of the things we did during his code including the nephrologist coming in wearing sandals and a sundress. He kept saying that he lived all alone and his kids were grown. He didn't know why he had to come back. I saw him again a year later, and he told me that now he understood why God told him he was still needed on earth. He had found out that his oldest daughter was addicted to drugs and wasn't taking care of her kids -- so he was taking care of the kids.

I've also had patients describe floating in the corner near the ceiling, watching their codes. (I've had 3 or 4 patients tell me this.) They were quite specific in telling us what went on during their codes.

merricat · Sep 20, 2004

resident told me she talked to jesus after her car accident. she cries when she talks about it. she says he told her it was not time. she did not want to come back to earth. he talked to her baout other stuff,too.

ZZTopRN, BSN, RN · Sep 21, 2004

Yes. It was sometime during the day in April 2001. I was already an inpatient, and suddenly became breathless and very heavy while pushing my wheelchair down the hall. I was already on oxygen, and was the reason for the wheelchair. I eventually made my way back to my room, and snuggled in my bed. I don't remember much after that until the following morning when my doctor entered my room, and asked me what happened. I related the incident to him, and said I feel like a fragile baby bird curled up in its nest, and was so weak I was unable to move.
My doctor ordered a stat CT scan. On my way to the test, my vital signs became very erratic. I was rushed down to the CT room, where 2 IV teams attempted to gain access to my veins. What veins didn't burst, rolled away.
The next step was my being rushed into the OR holding area to have a central line inserted. When the doctor approached, he asked me why I had a cervical collar on. I told him I have severe arthritis of the C spine. He said he wouldn't be able to the central line insertion. So I was once again returned to my room.
Struggling to breathe, and unable to even lift my head off my pillow, I was a total assist. Just as I was about to doze off, in came another crew with a gurney to take me downstairs for a lung perfusion scan. A pulmonologist was there, he listened to my breathing, and I was placed in the machine.
The odd thing about that traumatic and such an exhausting day, was that even though I felt that way, I also was a complete peace.
It was sometime during that very long day I saw a picture of myself sitting on the ground, leaning against a big tree where I dozed off. I was awakened by a voice that said He was going to take me on a tour of the earth to show me the different scenarios about what we as people get ourselves into, and what makes Him weep, laugh, smile, etc. I was now in the sky above the earth where it was so very bright and beautiful.
The picture He showed me was one composed of tan waferlike forms. He said that He was showing the (diarama if you will) this way so I could understand how He sees us, then telling me that we as humans are as fragile as the wafer forms.
During the tour, I was shown all of mankind in the different situations we seem to get ourselves into. One was that of what happens when we let our feelings lead us. It led to a very sad, lonely, vision.
Another showed people singing, laughing, and enjoying what they were doing. He said that was what pleased Him. They were looking to a higher power for guidance, and that was the outcome.
After the tour was over, He said I must go back, for my job was not yet finished. I didn't want to leave that place of peace and glory, but I had to. I woke up on the gurney, being transported to my room.
I just got settled back in my bed, when a Pulmonologist walked in and said, "You've got a bunch of blood clots in your lungs."
The PE was caused by massive doses of Solu-Medrol that I was receiving to reverse an earlier diagnosis of Status Asthmaticus. I have Chronic Asthmatic Bronchitis.

Thank you for that beautiful story.

mv

dustydog · Sep 22, 2004

My father told me of his experience while standing at the kitchen sink, his heart stopped. He remembered feeling a little cold and then became really relaxed and fell to the floor. He was holding a cup of hot coffee which splatered on him and consequently roused him from the burning pain. He later told me not to fear death. That it was the most comfortable, relaxing experience. He died 6 months later from metastatic cancer. He was so sincere in trying to let me know this one important thing; sort of like a little gift before he left.

FranEMTnurse, CNA, LPN, EMT-I · Sep 22, 2004

Good afternoon, Chris. I love your cheerfulness today. Ya know it's contagious, don't you. Call me dumb, ignorant, or whatever, but I don't know what sugargliders are. I saw some tiny animals in a pet store once that were very bashful, and that could fly around in their cage. Could that be them? If it is, those little critters are adorable.

I don't know who Rodney is, but I watched the finales of Big Brother 5 and The Amazing Race last night.

Hi Tweety. Yes, you are have the 3 baddies aren't you. Lets hope they stop at 3. Hope your computer gets working properly soon, too.

nurscee · Sep 22, 2004

This isn't really a near death experience but it is something that happened to my daddy when he was about a year away from dying of COPD.

He was growing depressed and chose to be alone away from everyone, just staying in his room. I live 1500 miles away, so my mother was telling me about him. It broke my heart.

I prayed for God to send him a pet. Somehow I just knew it would bring him out. Daddy had always loved dogs. No one was able to reach him, he was in such a dark place, emotionally speaking.

At the last minute I added a PS to my prayer, "God, could you make it a cat, so I know it is from you?" Daddy HATED cats. I knew if he got a cat it would be a true miracle.

Soon my mother called saying, "It's the strangest thing. A stray cat has come up to our back porch and had a litter of kittens. Your father has actually taken a shine to one of them."

Long story short he fell totally head over heels for Callie. She became his best companion and "nurse". She knew all his moods and when he needed some love.

Several times he went to the hospital and all the nurses giggled about how cute Daddy was talking about his cat. He talked about her day and night until the day came for him to go to heaven.

I know this is probably no earth shattering story to most of you. But it comforts me often to know God hears, even when it seems like a goofy thing to pray.

By the way, Callie went to be with Daddy not long ago. I like to imagine his delight upon her arrival.

FranEMTnurse, CNA, LPN, EMT-I · Sep 22, 2004

This isn't really a near death experience but it is something that happened to my daddy when he was about a year away from dying of COPD.
He was growing depressed and chose to be alone away from everyone, just staying in his room. I live 1500 miles away, so my mother was telling me about him. It broke my heart.
I prayed for God to send him a pet. Somehow I just knew it would bring him out. Daddy had always loved dogs. No one was able to reach him, he was in such a dark place, emotionally speaking.
At the last minute I added a PS to my prayer, "God, could you make it a cat, so I know it is from you?" Daddy HATED cats. I knew if he got a cat it would be a true miracle.
Soon my mother called saying, "It's the strangest thing. A stray cat has come up to our back porch and had a litter of kittens. Your father has actually taken a shine to one of them."
Long story short he fell totally head over heels for Callie. She became his best companion and "nurse". She knew all his moods and when he needed some love.
Several times he went to the hospital and all the nurses giggled about how cute Daddy was talking about his cat. He talked about her day and night until the day came for him to go to heaven.
I know this is probably no earth shattering story to most of you. But it comforts me often to know God hears, even when it seems like a goofy thing to pray.
By the way, Callie went to be with Daddy not long ago. I like to imagine his delight upon her arrival.

nurscee, your story about your Daddy and Callie touched my heart in a beautiful way, and it is every bit as earth shattering as some of ours. It was a true answer to your prayer, and our all merciful God heard and answered. Now that is a true miracle in the making. God bless you.

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Sep 22, 2004

when my son was seven, he told me about his nde which happened when he was five. it came about as the result of a conversation we were having about a little boy we knew who had just died. because adam is cognitively impaired as a result of his nde, i was explaining to him that paul had died and we wouldn't ever see him again. adam kept insisting that he would so see paul again, when he came back from heaven. so i patiently explained that people don't come back to heaven, and could only stare at him open-mouthed when he said, "well, i did."

i asked him where mommy was when he went to heaven, and he proceeded to describe to me in some detail the day he had his strokes. he told me what i did when i couldn't wake him up, who came into the room and in what order, and what we did to him. he didn't miss a thing. i asked him how he knew all these things, and he said that he watched from the corner of the room. he told me that he'd met jesus and was told, "that's not the way it's supposed to be, son. you must go back." and then he was back in his body. after i'd digested this for a few minutes, i asked him if, knowing what it would be like for him (meaning the months in hospital and many more months of painful rehab), would he have still come back. he looked at me very solemnly and said, "no."

i found all this somewhat bewildering, because at that time his conversational speech was almost non-existent. the words he used, the tone of voice he used, the detail he put into his descriptions, it was quite unreal. and he has never spoken at such length or in such detail since. it still makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

FranEMTnurse, CNA, LPN, EMT-I · Sep 22, 2004

when my son was seven, he told me about his nde which happened when he was five. it came about as the result of a conversation we were having about a little boy we knew who had just died. because adam is cognitively impaired as a result of his nde, i was explaining to him that paul had died and we wouldn't ever see him again. adam kept insisting that he would so see paul again, when he came back from heaven. so i patiently explained that people don't come back to heaven, and could only stare at him open-mouthed when he said, "well, i did."
i asked him where mommy was when he went to heaven, and he proceeded to describe to me in some detail the day he had his strokes. he told me what i did when i couldn't wake him up, who came into the room and in what order, and what we did to him. he didn't miss a thing. i asked him how he knew all these things, and he said that he watched from the corner of the room. he told me that he'd met jesus and was told, "that's not the way it's supposed to be, son. you must go back." and then he was back in his body. after i'd digested this for a few minutes, i asked him if, knowing what it would be like for him (meaning the months in hospital and many more months of painful rehab), would he have still come back. he looked at me very solemnly and said, "no."
i found all this somewhat bewildering, because at that time his conversational speech was almost non-existent. the words he used, the tone of voice he used, the detail he put into his descriptions, it was quite unreal. and he has never spoken at such length or in such detail since. it still makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

wow, jan. that's awesome. can't deny the existence of god by stories like these, can we.

CCU NRS · Sep 22, 2004

Wonderful stories Fran, Nurscee, janfrn

I gues I have two but both from members of my family, My maternal grandfather and an aunt from the same side. Both had very interesting tales after actual near death incidents. My aunt was having surgery, I think hysterectimy (not positive) but in OR they had B/P problems and she was coded and asystole for a minute or so, she woke up the next day telling everybody about how she had been hovering and watching them work on her and the Doc's basically told us it was anethesia, but she was not to be denied, she maintains to this day that it was a NDE, My Grandfather had a knee replacement and was in rehab and went in to septic shock and got really sick and he was not doing well and his wife had died about a year before and he had told all of his children that he was ready to "Go be with Mama" and we all feared he was not fighting and would die, when he awoke, he explained that he had seen many things and he had been aware of us taking turns and who was sitting with him and he said that God and the devil both talked to him, the Devil was telling him to give up and die, but he showing him a dark place to go and God told him that Anita (his wife) was fine and not ready preparing his place yet, he must fight and get better. He did, and he told us all the story.

I feel I had a sort of visitation when I was in a near death incident noit from God but My Paternal Grandfather who had been deceased when I was born.

I was shot(that is another story)but suffice to say while being rushed to the hospital by my father and Bro-in-law I was in the backseat of the (I had a pnuemothorax BTW)guppy breathing and thinking I was going to die(we were about 60mi. from a hospital)I had a visit from my Grandfather, I never met him and had only seen a couple of pictures of him he died in 1962 and never liked having his picture taken anyway,,,,,,,,He was there in the car in my head, I could visualize him and I heard his voice but he did not have any type of physical presence just a mind visit(I guess)N E way he told me to slow my breathing and not to worry, he told me It would be alright and the best thing to do was not to panic, he told me to tell My dad I was alright, I told him Grampa says everything is alright, which he didn't like b'cuz Grampa wasn't with us, I said really I think I am ok, then I said, I just met your Dad, he really freaked out and told my Bro-in-law to hurry, I tlod him it was ok, really I was going to be fine, I was! the whole thing is a story about drinking, stupidity in which my own brother accidentally shot me