Dear Foxy,
Sorry to hear that you have been unwell. Experiences like yours often lead to a heightened sense of spiritual awareness. I'm a bit like you. I find somehow that some things in life are so remarkable that it seems as if there is something else at work.
I hope this experience ultimately leaves something of value - it quite often turns out that way.
On Pynchme's end quote - have you read any of Deepak Chopra's writings?

Revisit the stages of life and what are the main concerns of each particular stage. Your concerns are perfectly normal and it could come as some relief that others may be similarly pre-occupied with questions of life's purpose and what next. For instance (a Googled example only):

http://www.manifestyourpotential.com/life/make_sense_of_life/life_stages/topic_eight_life_stages.htm

Because there are so many hot buttons on OLO, spirituality and the other issues you have raised are probably better discussed in a forum of the same approximate age group with a similar interest. Can't suggest any though and again, some others might be able to make a suggestion or few.

Foxy

Sorry to hear of your health issues. I just hope you along with all others dies in a state of forgiveness. We all need it and Christ has provided it.

At least you picked the right thing to have trouble with Fozy, we're good at cardiac in Oz. They have been able to fix me quick time, each time I have trouble.

I don't think fate could be so cruel, as to have our personality , at death survive. I'm damn sure my mother , now 98 would not want to survive for eternity, being unable to express herself satisfactorily, because she can't think of the words when she wants them.

Like a debater, she used to write out the words she expected to need, at, say, a doctors appointment, or a visit from a friend.

Now she gets even more exasperated. Her writing has got so bad she can't read it, even with her new glasses.

So, no Foxy. Unless it's inherited by the daisies, I'll take mine with me, thanks.

Hell, I just thought, I might have killed myself, in a racing car, in my 20s. Can you imagine anything worse for a young racing driver personality, than being trapped in heaven, playing a harp for eternity.

Get well soon kid.

Wise words indeed Cornflower, and I hope they are of some help to Foxy.
To add to that, I would suggest some short term course of sleeping pills until you are feeling stronger Foxy.

Pynchme, you raise some interesting points, however, in all the years I have been a nurse and witnessed umpteen resuscitations and deaths, I have never once been told about a 'near death experience' after they first 'woke up'.
Why would that be?

Could it be that they thought about how they were told they nearly died, and then later 'thought' they had seen the other side?
It would be a comforting thought to the frightened patients.

Why don't all people brought back from near death 'see' all these activities described by a few?
If a person is able to be resuscitated, they were not 'brain dead' at the start, but merely had no heart beat.

Blind people are known to dream in technicolour too.

When a persons heart stops, it doesn't mean they can't see or hear anymore. They lose these abilities only when their brain dies, so I am aware they often know what is going on around them when they are being resuscitated.

We still talk to people and let them know what we are doing to them, even when they are unconscious or in a coma.

I have been there and witnessed this many times.
Sorry 'lovey', there is no life after death.

Dear Foxy,

Heart and breathing trouble are very frightening things to deal with. You may not be wanting sympathy but I can offer empathy.

I have had the 'paddles' applied over 20 times in the last 6 years and although in some ways you do get use to it, (even when they miss slightly and you end up with a singed nipple – bloody painful for weeks after) it is always a very sobering experience.

There was one stand-out and particularly severe episode when I was pretty sure the ambulance was not going to make it in time. Not even being able to raise my head off the carpet I had some time to consider the what if's and I found myself quite at peace with the possibility it might have all ceased right then and there. My overwhelming concern was for my wife and children and when I was asked later by one of my more religious in-laws had I considered the here-after or the Almighty I was able to answer quite truthfully no.

Perhaps if the circumstances of my demise were to be drawn out to a greater degree the answer might be different.

However I will admit the priorities of this life have changed somewhat.

Cont