Hot Friday (I think) evening.  Band I played fiddle in was out on the sidewalk planning three sets.  Lead singer said "you don't look good, here, have an aspirin."  I took two aspirin.  (Incidentally, doctor sitting there, first row.)  At the end of the second set, I reached down to put my violin in its case so I could go inside for a cup of coffee or water (don't remember), and when I looked up I saw what was clearly a hospital room.  I've worked 19 years in two different hospitals, and knew where I was instantly.  I said "I want to go home," and they said, "you're going home tomorrow."  I was weak, spent three weeks just regaining muscle strength, but all memory remained except memory of those 6 days. 

Now, 100% back to normal, I want to find a hypnotherapist to help me discover where I was, what I did, etc.  (I once went to a hypnotherapist to quit smoking and she determined I was too strong-willed to be hypnotized, so I'm not sure I'll ever find out.)  The bass player and the singer both agreed, though, that at the time of my collapse, they saw my spirit rise up out of my body.  The doctor in the audience did CPR, and I was cardioverted three times in the ambulance and in the emergency room.  Spent some time in the ICU.  I have medical records (all they would allow me to have when I told them I was leaving the state a few years later).

At the time of your experience was there an associated life-threatening event?   Yes   Left anterior descending artery closed off (hairpin turn squeezed shut) and without pain I fell unconscious, awoke six (6) days later in a hospital.

Was the experience difficult to express in words?....Uncertain....No memory of 6 days.

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness?....Less consciousness and alertness than normal    Not applicable -- no memory of experience.....

Please compare your vision during the experience to your everyday vision that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience.    no memory

Please compare your hearing during the experience to your everyday hearing that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience.    no 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?....rest, relaxation  

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?....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 myself or 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....

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:....Large changes in my life....No longer seek the big stage (violinist), no longer struggle to be famous, happy my book was published (right at the time of experience, incidentally), but no anxiety about my future.  Sometimes I don't care whether I ever play again, don't care if my knowledge goes any farther than my living room.  Oh, I play now and then, and it is the only thing in my life that makes me happy, but I am not "hung up" on the struggle for notoriety any longer.....

Did you have any changes in your values or beliefs after the experience that occurred as a result of the experience?    Yes     I know I will be fine after I die.  I don't fear death, often even look forward to it.

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?   Uncertain   No memory of exact occurrences, so nothing to really share.

Did you have any knowledge of near death experience (NDE) prior to your experience?....Uncertain     heard about it, like on the radio, type of thing.  Watched my aunt die, experienced nothing.

What did you believe about the reality of your experience shortly (days to weeks) after it happened:....Experience was definitely real    I wanted to go back, try again.  (no recollection of events)

What do you believe about the reality of your experience at the current time:....Experience was definitely real....just no fear of death

Have your relationships changed specifically as a result of your experience?....No....family doesn't talk of it, I stopped talking of it, and there are no other relationships in my life.

Have your religious beliefs/spiritual practices changed specifically as a result of your experience?....Yes    I am certain that Jesus exists, and waits for me over there.

At any time in your life, has anything ever reproduced any part of the experience?....Yes    occasionally, lack of food, or too much heat, or too much exercise -- this brings back the feeling of just prior to my passing out.

Did the questions asked and information that you provided accurately and comprehensively describe your experience?    Yes    well, no actual conscious memory.  some hearsay of what I did during those 6 days, but I don't remember.

Are there one or several parts of your experience that are especially meaningful or significant to you?     Things that mattered greatly before are less important now.

Is there anything else that you would like to add about your experience?....I just want to find out what happened.  I know it's in my subconscious somewhere.  people from the hospital related tales of what I did while there, just stuff like climbing out of the ICU bed, walking the hallways, and of course I have no recollection of any of that time.