After a relatively minor surgical procedure, the bleeding stopped, but the doctors were still dissatisfied with the findings and wanted more answers to some of my blood work. They soon got their answer and so did I when an oncologist walked in to tell me that I had multiple myeloma, or cancer of the blood plasma...which I really refused to believe. My mother and only sibling has succumbed to cancer and I never saw it in the cards for myself. However, here I was going through the same set of unnerving occurrences...this made the third time. At first it was significant others...this time it was me...and I came to soon learn that it easier being the patient, than the caregiver, as my experience led me on a different path than they had travelled. 

I returned home about a week after being admitted to the hospital and undergoing surgery and one initial round of chemotherapy, which I tolerated well. However, once at home, I experienced continued difficulty sitting up and moving around, due to ongoing back pain. My spine was fractured due to the cancer attacking my bones, and I had lost mobility. I had resorted to a daily routine which involved my significant other jerking me into a standing position from laying on the couch due to the pain, and my inability to stand on my own. 

In essence, I couldn't walk very well and I hurt. Every day, for the next 4 days or so, was horrifically painful to arise each morning, and my next door neighbor, a nurse, was even enlisted to assist in this morning lift up, during which I would scream as the pain was unbearable. "Laurie, get used to it," the nurse advised...."You're going to experience this pain every day for the rest of your life," she admonished. That thought hadn't occurred to me, but I consciously blocked her words and determined that I wouldn't "take in" her comment and rejecting it outright. 

After 3 or 4 days of this routine, I actually laid on the couch for about 36 hours without getting up, because I just couldn't face the prospect of that pain again, on this particular day. I neglected to mention that due to my trauma, the nurse told my significant other to "double up" on the pain meds that I was taking before she arrived, so that it wouldn't be so bad for me when she came to help lift me up. I was now taking a large dose of valium and codeine on an empty stomach, and I felt the results of the drug overdose around the 4or 5th day of my episode.  

That morning, I had the double dose, and although I was lying down, the room began to spin. I don't know if I fell unconscious, or if I fell asleep due to the overdose of meds, but all I know is that I suddenly awoke in another dimension. The scenario changed so fast, and there was no memory of actually travelling, or how we got there, but my uncle, who I wasn't very close to, and whom I hadn't seen in 20 years, had accompanied me, in my state of illness or "profound despair", and we had landed in a different reality. I found myself in the form of a small shapeless, almost unformed being, reduced to a size that could be wrapped in a handkerchief, and was essentially without body or form, and was mainly in a state of condensed energy. My uncle was holding the small white handkerchief, in which my being was wrapped, and presenting me as an offering to an entity, which I later came to regard as God. The being was formless and primarily it looked like a large stupa or throne, a square block, was before us and emanating from it was bright white light. The voice that accompanied the light was strong, and he said to my uncle, who had delivered an impassioned plea for my healing, "I find your humble request to be acceptable and I am impressed by the sincerity of your prayers," (or something to that effect). With that, the voice said, "she is healed", in a thundering voice. 

We were in the middle of a coliseum like stadium, although much smaller. In every seat, was a beacon of light. I soon realized that the "beacons of light" were actually spirits...and they proved to be very loving. Consistent with my nature, I was a bit upset that God had addressed my uncle and seemed to be healing me as a connection was established between the two of them, that left me feeling like a "third party", since God had not spoken to me directly. I felt a deep conflict about this, right then and there but did not verbally express this. Then, when God said she is healed, the beacons of light, all turned on their high beams, as if to second God's decree. They said, "you are healed" to me directly. They also indicated that they telepathically knew what I had been thinking, and in a display of tremendous love they conveyed to me, "we Love you"...drawing the words out to emphasize the depth of their feeling towards me. Then, they stretched me out, and they inserted a golden beam into my body thru my crown chakra. After that while I was suspended in a laying position, the outline of my body was intact, but the inner part was illuminated like I was a lantern with brilliant white energetic light, illuminating me completely in a series of two, flashes, lasting a few second each. I took that to be the healing. 

I immediately found myself back in my body and on the couch. I was able to get up that day, and my healing took 6 months, and then, it was declared that I was cancer free! I had not one side effect from the chemotherapy and responded to it  wonderfully. However, it is God who healed me on my visit to the city of light, which I believe was for that purpose. I had asked to participate in the spiritual ascension that accompanied the dawning of the new age on 12/21/12, and I believe that this "near death like experience" was the beginning of a new phase of spiritual evolution for me. My growth has been physically, emotionally and spiritually benefited by this experience and I look forward some days, to going to the actual realms to come after transitioning from this body. It is so good to have actual proof that life is eternal and that God is real and that he is love. That's what I learned and I wanted to tell everyone because I am so grateful to have had this experience which has given my life new meaning.

At the time of your experience was there an associated life-threatening event?   No 

Was the experience difficult to express in words?  No    

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness?    When I received the healing from God and the spirits (beacons of light)

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 didn't perceive that difference.

Please compare your vision during the experience to your everyday vision that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience.   During the experience my vision was the same as prior to the time of the experience.

Please compare your hearing during the experience to your everyday hearing that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience.   The hearing was telepathic for the most part. The pronouncements of healing seemed more verbal and audible.

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   I did find out about two days after that, that my uncle, the same one in the experience had gone to a Wednesday night prayer group at his church, and that he had asked the members of the congregation that were present to pray for me, after explaining my diagnosis. They didn't know of my distress at the moment of my experience, and I didn't know that they had been summoned to and were praying for me at that time.

What emotions did you feel during the experience?   Secure, safe, calm, happy, loved, healed, cherished, joy.  

Did you pass into or through a tunnel?   No  

Did you see an unearthly light?   Yes   The light from the stupa, and the beacons of light in the stadium seats (the saints).

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
He pronounced, "she is healed".

The beacons pronounced, "you are healed" and "we love you".

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.)?   Uncertain   I remember a brief flash that looked like a hologram or a commercial print of Jesus wearing a crown of thorns, in the same manner that used to appear on religious candles with a prayer on the back, that I used to burn, about 15 years ago. It was a live entity, but a quick look at that face as if it were an art print. That was at the end. It didn't have much meaning at that time.

Did you encounter or become aware of any deceased (or alive) beings?   Yes   I was aware of my Uncle Richard, who was living at the time, although he himself had been quite sick on and off, for the past 10 years. He had several NDEs himself, he later reported to me, after I explained to him what I experienced. He's very religious, Baptist, and he told me that he had been to the other side more than once. He was on life support, and in comas more than one time. I believe him. He was there with me, looking like he did in the 1970s, about 40 years younger than he is now. He had on a brown polyester suit that looked good, it was a 70s style. Over that, he was wearing a white flowing robe. You could see the collar of his dress shirt and suit however too.

Did you become aware of past events in your life during your experience?   No   When I felt insecure because it didn't seem that God was acknowledging me directly, I was also aware that I always felt this type of insecurity on Earth too. I observed my reaction in that manner. Then, I realized that God and the beacons of light knew that this is what I was feeling, because they corrected me when they told me, "we love you". Even though that's all that they said at that moment, through their minds they let me know that they understood my insecure nature in this regard, and they were reassuring me that I couldn't be further from the truth in thinking otherwise. I was happy and reassured after communicating with them about this deeply personal subject.

Did you seem to enter some other, unearthly world?   A clearly mystical or unearthly realm
I think that I was taken up to one of the "healing stations" in the "cities of light" that I read about after my experience. After it all began to jell with me, about the experience and the fact that it was in the realm of NDEs, I began to research the phenomenon on YouTube. I found many amazing and specific similarities from some of the other NDE experiencers to mine own.

Did time seem to speed up or slow down?   Time seemed to go faster or slower than usual
There was no real time, but everything was happening at a very rapid pace. It seemed like it all took place in about 10 minutes.

Did you suddenly seem to understand everything?   Everything about myself or others
I understood a lot more than I did before going. Although I didn't necessarily understand everything while undergoing the experience, in the 8 months I've had to research and reflect upon my occurrences, I now understand a tremendous amount more than I previously comprehended about the universe, myself and others.

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�)?   Yes   I encountered a different realm of existence and beings of a different entity than human beings. I was in a different time and space, so I would have to conclude that life after death is to be expected, based upon my seeing that there is more than is apparent in the physical realm, right now.

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness that God or a supreme being either does (or does not) exist?   Yes   I encountered God, or one of his main boy's because he proclaimed my healing from cancer, and it occurred in this life, immediately after his decree.

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness that you either did (or did not) exist prior to this lifetime?   Yes   From my experience I would deduce that I did exist before this lifetime because my visit to this other existence confirmed that different realms or levels of reality exist. Also, the beings I encountered, seemed to know me already from before. I got the distinct impression that I had returned to somewhere familiar from my past, where I got the additional fortification that I needed to complete my mission here on earth. When they took care of that, I went back immediately, in good shape.

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness that a mystical universal connection or unity/oneness either does (or does not) exist?   Yes   At some point I felt that there would me a merger coming where I would blend in with the light. It seems that I might have been shown this as a trailer of "the shape of things to come," after I return to there, for my transition. I also got a brief flash or realization or enlightenment, that we all are one....merged together like a huge body of energy, once we drop our bodies and return to source. At least I think that's what was conveyed incidentally and probably in response to my questioning what comes next?

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness regarding earthly life�s meaning or purpose?   No   I vaguely recall being told that "you're healed of all drugs" too. I did find out shortly after the experience, that it was the valium and codeine that I was taking for pain, that was actually creating the muscle spasms that were giving me the pain. So I stopped. Everything became fine in that regard as a result of stopping.

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness regarding earthly life�s difficulties, challenges, or hardships?   Uncertain   I vaguely recall being told that "you're healed of all drugs" too. I did find out shortly after the experience, that it was the valium and codeine that I was taking for pain, that was actually creating the muscle spasms that were giving me the pain. So I stopped. Everything became fine in that regard as a result of stopping.

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness regarding love?   Yes   Yes, the love from the beacons of light (spirits) expressed to me directly. The love of God expressed to Uncle Richard and to me (although I wish my direct interaction had been more personal between God and I).

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?   Yes   I saw remarkable proof of the power of prayer and belief.

Did you have a sense of knowing special knowledge or purpose?   No   In digesting the experience, which I ruminated about for months, and researched online for comparable experiences, I came to learn that I had a definite purpose, which was to share this experience with all. It helped me so much, especially when I was able to compare my experiences with the reports of others. That's how I became healed and convinced that all was accurate, real, and positive.

What occurred during your experience included:   Content that was entirely consistent with the beliefs you had at the time of your experience   I didn't have well thought out opinions about what would happen during a NDE, because although I was aware of Dr. Raymond Moody and his work generally, I didn't have the specifics of the experience in the forefront of my mind. I read the book ages ago, and it didn't figure into my experience until after, when I began researching. It took a while before I even classified as a "like near death experience," after reading that this is what happens to people sometimes, who are in states of "profound despair." That's when I realized, this is probably the basis for my personal experience.

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   I have actively recalled the events that I experienced, in an effort to synthesize the information and study the reactions of others.

Discuss any changes that might have occurred in your life after your experience:   I went into remission for cancer. I believe that I'm healed completely. I have a refreshed outlook towards life. My life is now spiritually centered. I am working to answer that upcoming question, "what have you done to help your fellow man?" I am much more evolved, much happier and looking forward to death, as well as enjoying the rest of this existance.

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'm much more spiritual than ever before.

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  I shared it with my aunt and uncle (the one in the experience) about 2 weeks after it occured. They were shocked and very animated and happy.

Did you have any knowledge of near death experience (NDE) prior to your experience?   Yes   Although I knew of NDE's, I haden't read anythinig about the subject in 20years. It didn't occur to me that I had had an NDE until after the experience, when I began to research the subject.

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?   Yes  

Have your religious beliefs/spiritual practices changed specifically as a result of your experience?   Yes   Overall, more spiritually based and centered on spiritual evolution.

At any time in your life, has anything ever reproduced any part of the experience?   No  

Is there anything else that you would like to add about your experience?   No. Thanks very much for the opportunity to share.

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