Experience description:

On July 16, 2010, at age 16, I was diagnosed with hydrocephalus. The disorder was advanced so they performed the surgery just hours later. During this procedure, I awoke. Not so much consciously, as I just slung my head around in a circle, causing my neurosurgeon to rupture a blood vessel in my brain. Had it not been for his skills as a surgeon, I would be dead. The next 12 days I spent in a coma. During the difficult times after awaking, I was always surrounded by nurses, one in particular, a tall, thin, dark haired man named Ian. Ian was a very kind man, and strangely enough, did his job very well without doing much at all. He came in my room often and always greeted me with a handshake. He'd ask me what I needed, and I would tell him. He'd then ask if I had any preference in who would execute the task, and always, that person would come. I grew very fond of Ian in not a few days, he felt like a very close friend. But, one day, Ian didn't come. And the days that followed, the same thing. I began to worry, and at this time, I felt myself again, no more affects of the heavy sedation. I asked another nurse, "Where's Ian?" She seemed puzzled. "Who is Ian?" I heard that from every nurse I asked. I then tried to describe him, what he looked and sounded like. The confusion only grew. There was no nurse, on that floor or otherwise, that fit the description. My stay at the hospital was soon over, and I went on to live my life. It was about a year later that all of this hit me. "Who is Ian?" A question I still ask today. Many people believe he's a guardian angel, some believe he was a product of my brain synapses, but either way, I feel forever in debt to this amazing man.

At the time of your experience was there an associated life-threatening event?   Uncertain  I was comatose, having what seemed to be an out of body experience, although I never went far.

Was the experience difficult to express in words?  Yes     It's very surreal to think about. It's something I think a out every day, and I don't think I'll ever understand.

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness?    It was all very foggy and surreal.

How did your highest level of consciousness and alertness during the experience compare to your normal everyday consciousness and alertness?      Less consciousness and alertness than normal   It seemed like the medication clouded everything, it's unexplainable.

Please compare your vision during the experience to your everyday vision that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience.   It seemed clouded, like a shroud of fog covered my consciousness.

Please compare your hearing during the experience to your everyday hearing that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience.   It was the same, to the best of my memory.

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?   No  

What emotions did you feel during the experience?   Euphoria  

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
Ian was definitely there, and at the time he seemed both earthly and human, just like any other nurse.

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  

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

Did you become aware of past events in your life during your experience?   No  

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

Did time seem to speed up or slow down?   No

Did you suddenly seem to understand everything?   Everything about the universe
Everything seemed to be in perfect harmony.

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 

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness suggesting that there either is (or is not) continued existence after earthly life (�life after death�)?   No  

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness that God or a supreme being either does (or does not) exist?   No  

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness that you either did (or did not) exist prior to this lifetime?   No  

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness that a mystical universal connection or unity/oneness either does (or does not) exist?   No  

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness regarding earthly life�s meaning or purpose?   No   Ian once said that I was able to overcome any hardship.

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness regarding earthly life�s difficulties, challenges, or hardships?   Yes   Ian once said that I was able to overcome any hardship.

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness regarding love?   No  

During your experience, did you encounter any other specific information / awareness that you have not shared in other questions that is relevant to living our earthly lives?   No  

Did you have a sense of knowing special knowledge or purpose?   No  

What occurred during your experience included:   Content that was entirely consistent with the beliefs you had at the time of your experience   Nothing seemed strange at the time. It all seemed very logical.

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 as accurately as other life events that occurred around the time of the experience   Compared to the rest of my hospital stay, I remember this the most.

Discuss any changes that might have occurred in your life after your experience:   I definitely feel more spiritual.

My experience directly resulted in:   Large 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?   Yes   I became more in touch with my spiritual self.

Do you have any psychic, non-ordinary or other special gifts after your experience that you did not have before the experience?   No  

Are there one or several parts of your experience that are especially meaningful or significant to you?     The fact that this being came to me and helped save my life means more to me than anything.

Have you ever shared this experience with others?   Yes  It was over a year before I told anyone. I've told less than 10 people, and they all find it fascinating. Their explanations vary.

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   At that time, it hadn't really hit me that something amazing had happened.

What do you believe about the reality of your experience at the current time:   Experience was definitely real   Now that I know, I am simply amazed at the possibilities.

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?   Yes   I'm a very spiritual person now, whereas before I was not.

At any time in your life, has anything ever reproduced any part of the experience?   Uncertain   At another very difficult time in my life, I felt like I could feel Ian's presence.  

Did the questions asked and information that you provided accurately and comprehensively describe your experience?   Yes