11 Comments

I suffered cardiac arrest this past march. I was unresponsive for 17 minutes. I’m still trying to process things. Were there any negative elements to your experience meaning, dark shadows, bad feelings / negative emotions, horrible dreams after the incident?

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Hey! I just read your story on Daily Mail and was wondering what kind of epilepsy you have? I just found out in epileptic and started a new medication and just wanted to know what to be aware of if I have the same kind as you or am taking the same medication.

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Unbeknownst to me, I found out I was allergic to hornet stings. From the time I got stung (on the top of my head) until I went into Anaphylactic shock was about 15 minutes. About 20 minutes later the EMS team had overdosed me with epheneferin while in route to the hospital. My experience was, I've never seen such a bright white light before (nor since). I could hear everything but I couldn't move. And I could feel an absolute peacefulness that traveled from my head down to my feet. Medical staff I've encountered since then, just stare at me with no definitive answer as I explained the series of events. I do feel sorry for the Children with food allergies, as I'm informed that their experience is very similar. Imagine going through childhood and not being able to eat a Peanut butter sandwich (that's a right of passage for children!) I'm not sure that I need to fear death any more.

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Dec 15, 2023·edited Dec 15, 2023

I keep my secret when in icu. I never ever eat meat again. I don't scare die anymore.

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About 12 years ago I think I died in my sleep. I woke up in the most peaceful place and feeling. There were no family members or anything but the most peaceful I have ever felt. Now I have been going through heart failure and have a pacemaker and have been given 5 years on the outside and I'm totally ok with it.

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Dec 14, 2023·edited Dec 14, 2023

Sorry to hear about your health issues, I hope you recover well and soon.

I read about your story in the swedish "Aftonbladet" (only the headline as the article was "locked"). May I ask if the journalist asked you for permission to share your story? It's important for all of us to hear about the experience from others. Best regards, Rika

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author

Hi Rika, welcome. I don't know of that publication but I know many outlets are publishing stories without speaking to me. The best way to understand my story is to read the archives on this site starting at the beginning with the post "A miracle, or a rather low bar?" You can see the actual Reddit AMA that all of the news outlets are quoting (or misquoting) here: https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/18fxpla/hi_i_was_clinically_dead_for_24_minutes_ask_me/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3 - and if you subscribe you will get any updates and recaps I offer for free in your email.

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Did you receive COVID vaccine prior to your sudden cardiac arrest?

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I am not trolling. You mentioned you had COVID and that is why I asked.

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author

Yep. I know there are a lot of comments and responses to wade through on the AMA...yes I did get vaccinated. After J&J I got multiple boosters, last of which was 3 days before my cardiac arrest (I didn't know I still had COVID as it had been 2 months since my last positive test).

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Dec 12, 2023Liked by Lauren Canaday

Thank you for your insightful and honest response.

I'm happy to hear you bounced back and wish for you to continue improving.

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