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Woman Recounts Near-Death Experience During School Run: ‘I Saw the Other Side’
A 50-year-old woman has shared her extraordinary account of what she experienced during a near-death episode, stating she ‘died’ for 24 minutes. Tessa Romero, while undertaking a routine school run, suffered a sudden cardiac arrest and now reveals details of her profound experience on ‘the other side,’ which she says has eliminated her fear of death. This incident prompts reflection on near-death experiences and the mysteries surrounding consciousness beyond life.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest and a Glimpse Beyond
Tessa Romero, a sociologist residing in southern Spain, was in the midst of dropping her daughters at school when she suddenly experienced a suspected sudden cardiac arrest. According to her book, ’24-Minutes on the Other Side: Living Without Fear of Death,’ an ambulance arrived 24 minutes later. Medics subsequently informed Ms. Romero that her heart had ceased functioning for this entire duration.
Doctors reportedly expressed uncertainty regarding the precise nature of the event. Ms. Romero recalls, ‘I overheard them discussing acute myocardial infarction [heart attack] and sudden cardiac arrest.’ She further added, ‘However, there was no definitive diagnosis. We may never definitively know the exact medical event.’
Journey to ‘The Other Side’: Peace and Relief
Reflecting on her moments during this near-death state, Ms. Romero, who had been contending with a rare ailment at the time, described her initial sensations: ‘The foremost feeling was one of immense tranquility.’
She elaborated, ‘For the first time in an extended period, all physical and emotional suffering ceased – the pain had completely vanished. I experienced a profound sense of relief, akin to a tremendous burden being lifted. I recall levitating above the room, observing the scene below.’
Observing the Clinic and Daughters
Ms. Romero continued, ‘I could observe the activity within the small clinic where I was – and I could see my young daughters in the waiting area.’ She further recounted, ‘I observed a body lying there. It was perplexing as I was not aware of being deceased. I felt vibrant, alert, and conscious.’
‘However,’ she stated, ‘I was unable to comprehend why no one could perceive or hear me. Prior to this, I was skeptical of such phenomena. Yet upon regaining consciousness, I possessed absolute certainty that my experience transcended a mere dream.’
‘It felt undeniably real. My perception of everything around me had shifted. I had a peculiar sensation, as if the world had been viewed through an antiquated lens.’ Ms. Romero described, ‘Time itself seemed altered. Everything appeared slower, denser, imbued with greater significance.’
Pre-Existing Health Issues and Unexplained Illness
In the months leading up to this near-death experience, Ms. Romero had been grappling with significant health challenges. Despite undergoing extensive medical examinations, doctors were unable to diagnose her condition.
Tessa explained, ‘Medical professionals could not pinpoint the exact cause of my health decline. They conducted numerous tests, yet none yielded conclusive results. My body was deteriorating, and they could not identify a specific origin. It was an incredibly distressing period as my condition worsened, and no one could provide an explanation.’
Emotional Manifestation and Life’s Difficulties
Ms. Romero shared insights from medical professionals who contacted her, stating, ‘I have been in contact with surgeons, neurologists, and scientists who research these types of phenomena. Many concur on a highly revealing point – that my illness was likely a physical manifestation of my emotional state.’
She elaborated, ‘At that juncture in time, I was navigating the most challenging phase of my life. Frequently, emotions we suppress internally can manifest physically.’
Shifted Perspective on Life and Death
This near-death experience has profoundly transformed Tessa’s viewpoint on life and mortality. She reflected, ‘Previously, I harbored a deep-seated fear of death. I perceived it as something somber, uncertain, and agonizing.’
She continued, ‘Following my experience, I came to understand that death is not an end, but rather a transition. It is akin to passing through a doorway into a realm where everything becomes coherent, where love and tranquility pervade all. I no longer hold any fear of it.’
‘Conversely,’ Ms. Romero concluded, ‘I experience profound serenity knowing that existence extends beyond our immediate perception, that we are not isolated, and that we are unconditionally loved.’
Scientific Perspectives on Near-Death Experiences
Scientific research does acknowledge a basis for experiences of perceiving events while clinically deceased. Studies spanning years indicate that the human brain can maintain normal function for a brief period after cardiac arrest, even if standard scans suggest cessation of activity.
Brain Activity Post-Cardiac Arrest
Research has further indicated that the brain might exhibit intermittent bursts of activity even up to an hour following oxygen deprivation and during resuscitation efforts. These discoveries have prompted some medical professionals to advocate for a reevaluation of the standard protocols of declaring death after merely three to five minutes of brain oxygen deprivation, as these individuals may still potentially be revived.
Common Near-Death Phenomena
Individuals have previously shared accounts of out-of-body experiences, such as perceiving radiant light at the end of a tunnel or encountering deceased loved ones. Others have also described visions of a celestial afterlife. While investigations into brain activity after clinical death are ongoing, the recurrent similarities in reported experiences remain a subject of debate among experts.
Theories on Vivid Experiences
Some experts propose that as the brain undergoes these transitional changes, the system’s inherent ‘inhibitory mechanisms’ are released. This release might heighten our awareness of intensely clear and vivid recollections from our stored memories. However, this remains a speculative theory, and other experts hold differing viewpoints.