Brad's Experience
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Experience description:
In late December 1995,
I developed a stomach virus that quickly became worse. By the time I made it to
the doctor a day or two later, I was extremely ill. I had emergency surgery
that evening for a perforated ulcer. I developed peritonitis, sepsis, ARDS, and
was on a ventilator. I was transferred to Johns Hopkins from my local
hospital.
Shortly after being
transferred to Hopkins, I became aware of my uncle near the doorway. I didn't
see him but I heard him and I felt his presence. Somehow I knew he was dead
(even though he was fine when I had entered the hospital a couple weeks
before). No one had to tell me; I simply knew it. He was there to check on
me. I heard him speaking to several other people (beings?) but I didn't know
who they were. My uncle had an unmistakable voice; I knew it was him; and I
felt his presence.
In addition to that
experience, later that day (or perhaps the next day) I had an experience of some
sort of being (I'm calling it an angel) that came down and did something to my
left knee - like he/she pulled something out of it. Strange, because it was my
right knee that had been drained for a septic infection, but they were clearly
working on my left knee. I mentioned it to my nurse later that day; and of
course she looked at me very strangely and said no one had been in my room.
At
the time of your experience was there an associated life-threatening
event?
Yes I had been transferred to Johns Hopkins Hospital from my local hospital
for further treatment for peritonitis and sepsis. I was on a respirator.
Was
the experience difficult to express in words?
Uncertain Somewhat difficult. But this was more of an "out of body" or
"different level of consciousness" type of experience than a true NDE. I wasn't
clinically dead, but I did experience hearing/feeling my dead uncle's presence.
At
what time during the experience were you at your highest level of
consciousness and alertness?
Less
consciousness and alertness than normal I was at my highest level of
alertness after the experience was over. I was very ill, recovering from
a very serious infection (sepsis). So I was on several very high powered
antibiotics as well as pain killers. Naturally those cause a different level of
alertness.
Please compare your vision during the experience to your everyday vision that
you had immediately prior to the time of the experience.
Fairly normal.
Please compare your hearing during the experience to your everyday hearing that
you had immediately prior to the time of the experience.
Fairly normal.
Did
you see or hear any earthly events that were occurring during a time that your
consciousness / awareness was apart from your physical / earthly body?
Yes While I was in this altered state of consciousness; I do clearly remember
a man being brought into Hopkins that had been shot. He had his entire family
and doctors around him. He did not survive, but there were others there to help
him. I wasn't actually in the same room with him, nor did I actually hear any
of this with my own hearing. This was definitely more of a situation that I
simply knew - I sensed it, without actually seeing any of it.
What emotions did you feel during the experience?
Peaceful would have been the most common emotion.
Did
you pass into or through a tunnel?
No
Did
you see an unearthly light?
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 As I said in my previous statement, I did encounter some sort of
angelic being when I was in my hospital room that had come to "work" on my left
knee. I clearly remember them pulling something out of my knee...almost like
staples, or some sort of a substance. Even though that particular knee didn't
seem to have anything wrong with it.
Did
you encounter or become aware of any deceased (or alive) beings?
Yes My recently deceased uncle was at my doorway at Hopkins. I didn't
actually see him but I clearly heard him, and I heard him talking to others.
Did
you become aware of past events in your life during your experience?
No
Did
you seem to enter some other, unearthly world?
Some
unfamiliar and strange place Very vibrant green rolling hills and
meadow. The green was so bright it almost seemed alive.
Did
time seem to speed up or slow down?
No
Did
you suddenly seem to understand everything?
No
Did
you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure?
No
Did
you come to a border or point of no return?
No
Did
scenes from the future come to you?
No
Did
you have a sense of knowing special knowledge or purpose?
No
Discuss any changes that might have occurred in your life after your
experience:
Slight changes in my life
Did you have any changes in your values or beliefs after the experience that
occurred as a result of the experience?
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
Did
you have any knowledge of near death experience (NDE) prior to your
experience?
Yes I had read about NDE's.
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 at the current time:
Experience was definitely real
Have your relationships changed specifically as a result of your
experience?
No
Have your religious beliefs/spiritual practices changed specifically as a result
of your experience?
No
At
any time in your life, has anything ever reproduced any part of the experience?
No
Did
the questions asked and information that you provided accurately and
comprehensively describe your experience?
Yes