After going to the doctor, I eventually found out I had an extremely rare type of breast cancer, had a mastectomy and many lymph nodes removed. The doctors believed I was terminal, but I absolutely knew I wasn't going to die. I am still alive 15 years later.

At the time of your experience was there an associated life-threatening event? Uncertain I was unaware at the time that I had cancer

Was the experience difficult to express in words? Yes So much of it was extremely intense feeling, of so much joy.

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness? While walking.

How did your highest level of consciousness and alertness during the experience compare to your normal everyday consciousness and alertness? More consciousness and alertness than normal I'd never had an experience or feeling like this since then.

Please compare your vision during the experience to your everyday vision that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience. The same

Please compare your hearing during the experience to your everyday hearing that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience. The same

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? Absolute joy

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 heard a voice I could not identify
I heard messages

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? Some unfamiliar and strange place
I didn't see a place, but I knew where I was going to was wonderful.

Did time seem to speed up or slow down? Everything seemed to be happening at once; or time stopped or lost all meaning
Time had no meaning

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? I came to a definite conscious decision to return to life
I had such an overwhelming desire to continue going to this wonderful place and only the sense of duty to my children pulled me back.

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 knew there was existence after death.

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? Yes I had a life threatening condition.

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

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness regarding earthly life’s difficulties, challenges, or hardships? No

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 both consistent and not consistent with the beliefs you had at the time of your experience It seemed so clear that there was heaven for lack of a better word, which I didn't believe in.

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 th

Discuss any changes that might have occurred in your life after your experience: I feel like I'm the same person I was before, except I lost my fear of death.

My experience directly resulted in: Moderate 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 believe in an afterlife and don't fear death.

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? I was told I needed to see a doctor and I found out I was at risk of dying, which I believe would have happened if I hadn't gotten medical treatment.

Have you ever shared this experience with others? No

Did you have any knowledge of near death experience (NDE) prior to your experience? Yes I'd read about them in books, but what stumped me about my experience was that I wasn't unconscious or in an immediate life threatening situation. Death was more likely months away.

What did you believe about the reality of your experience shortly (days to weeks) after it happened: Experience was definitely real It was so real to me, that I knew something was medically wrong with me and I immediately made a medical appointment.

What do you believe about the reality of your experience at the current time: Experience was definitely real I believe I may have been getting to a point of no return, with my cancer, that if I had delayed treatment I would have died and that is the reason I had my experience.

Have your relationships changed specifically as a result of your experience? Yes I feel very close to my (now adult) children and I would have died if not for my love of them.

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

Is there anything else that you would like to add about your experience? I still wonder about the voice/message I heard, as to who was communicating the information to me.

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

What could a national organization with an interest in near death experience (NDE) do that would be of interest to you? See if anyone else had similar experiences when they had cancer.