What REALLY happens after life? This man didn't see God during a near-death experience

The question of what lies beyond the veil of death has puzzled humanity for eons. Tales of bright lights, long-departed relatives, and divine figures are common in the accounts of those who've skirted the edges of the afterlife. But not every near-death experience fits the mould of these ethereal encounters. Sometimes, the reality is far more unexpected, as one man's harrowing tale reveals.


James, whose routine operation took a perilous turn, shared his experience, which was devoid of the spiritual encounters many anticipate. Instead of a celestial meeting or a life review, James was met with an expanse of white and a sense of detachment from the urgency unfolding around him.


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A near-death event was experienced by James Reynolds during a routine gallbladder removal, requiring quick intervention from hospital staff. Credit: Ig0rzh / iStock


'James, you need to breathe.' These words, spoken by a nurse, pierced through the fog of anaesthetic and fentanyl, but James found himself unable to comply. His body was unresponsive, his mind adrift in a sea of white. The familiar comfort of his parents' thoughts was his last cognitive anchor before succumbing to the void.


The operation—a common procedure to remove his gallbladder—had been approached with the casual confidence of routine. Yet, in the operating room, James's expectations of a swift recovery were upended. Instead of a countdown, he was plunged into darkness, awakening later to a world altered by medication and the physical evidence of surgery.

As he lay in the recovery ward, the effects of the anaesthetic and fentanyl wove a tapestry of confusion and disorientation. The pain was absent, thanks to the potent opioid, which, under medical supervision, is a powerful tool for relief. However, the same substance, when misused or illicitly manufactured, can be deadly—a fact James was all too aware of from his knowledge of the opioid crisis.

The stark contrast between his controlled medical experience and the tragic outcomes of street fentanyl use was not lost on him. In the safety of the hospital, mechanisms were in place to reverse the respiratory depression that had gripped him. Outside these walls, the same drug claimed lives with reckless abandon.


James's journey back from the brink was marked by the professionalism and swift action of the medical staff. Their expertise was a counterpoint to his vulnerability, a reminder of the fragility of life and the thin line between here and the hereafter.

In the weeks following his ordeal, James reflected on the absence of control, the surreal nature of his experience, and the gratitude he felt towards those who had steered him through the crisis. The physical scars were healing, and the gallbladder pain was a memory, but the psychological imprint of his near-death experience lingered.

For our readers over 60, James's story is a poignant reminder that life can take unexpected turns, even in the most controlled environments. It also underscores the importance of having trust in the medical professionals who guide us through our most vulnerable moments.

Key Takeaways
  • James Reynolds experienced a near-death event during a routine operation to have his gallbladder removed, where he stopped breathing and required quick intervention from hospital staff.
  • He describes a sensation of whiteness and an absence of expected phenomena, such as his life flashing before his eyes or seeing God, challenging common expectations of near-death experiences.
  • He details the effects of fentanyl, an opioid given during his recovery, which made him lose the ability to breathe on his own, leading to respiratory depression and a need for a respirator.
  • Reflecting on his experience, James acknowledges the professionalism and effectiveness of the medical team in handling the crisis and expresses gratitude for their support while grappling with the lingering impression of having lost control during the incident.
We invite you to share your thoughts and experiences. Have you or someone you know had a near-death experience? Did it align with the common narratives, or was it something entirely different? Join the conversation and let us know in the comments below.
 
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I wish I hadn't read this, I go in for my operation tomorrow, Tuesday the 25th, and to say I was already scared is an understatement. I have had so many operations over the years you'd think i'd be used to them by now :(
Hope the op goes well.
Looking on the other side of things, there have only been 2 occasions in my adult life I slept all night without needing to get up to visit Loo.
Those were the nights I had after op catheters. Bliss for an over-active bladder.
 
I wish I hadn't read this, I go in for my operation tomorrow, Tuesday the 25th, and to say I was already scared is an understatement. I have had so many operations over the years you'd think i'd be used to them by now :(
You will be alright. Read a few jokes from SDC before you have to go to the hospital/doctors. Some of the jokes will have you laughing out loud 🤣
 
I wish I hadn't read this, I go in for my operation tomorrow, Tuesday the 25th, and to say I was already scared is an understatement. I have had so many operations over the years you'd think i'd be used to them by now :(
All the best for tomorrow & I hope all goes well. I’ve only ever had minor surgery but my husband says he dreads it every time that the surgeon says you need to go into hospital for this to be done. He was there last week having more spots cut out. Speedy recovery Demi & we will all be thinking about you.
 
I wish I hadn't read this, I go in for my operation tomorrow, Tuesday the 25th, and to say I was already scared is an understatement. I have had so many operations over the years you'd think i'd be used to them by now :(
You have so many positives wishes and love from so many people. We’re on your side.

It’s unfortunate timing with the article, but it’s just about one man’s account with his reaction to the anaesthetic and fentanyl.

I’m not sure about the authenticity of his story. His mind may be playing tricks on him having a near death experience because of the fentanyl.

Try not to read too much into it. ❤️
 
I had a near death experience back in 2021 when my heart stopped beating for 10 seconds while in the emergency room at the John Hunter hospital. The poor intern who was taking my pulse at time told me all about it the next morning when he visited me. While I was temporarily gone I found myself in a carriage of one of the old 'red rattler' trains I was heading into a tunnel when suddenly, I screamed out that someone was hurting me and very quickly sat up in the bed. Much to the amazement of the medical staff who werer at my beside at the time. They had just put the paddle on me. I remember I felt no fear at all during those 10 seconds.
 
I wish I hadn't read this, I go in for my operation tomorrow, Tuesday the 25th, and to say I was already scared is an understatement. I have had so many operations over the years you'd think i'd be used to them by now :(
I wish you a speedy recovery & hope that you will be back to your normal self quickly. Please don’t worry & just think positive, it will help with your recovery.🥰
 
Thank you to everyone that sent thoughts and wishes. It meant more to me than you'll ever know. I don't share a lot about me in other places but I feel safe in here and I know people understand, so thank you for that as well..

So the upshot of today was this:
All the worrying I did about todays operation were for nothing, although I was still scared but the nurses are beyond helpful and one held my hand for 10 minutes in the room while the others set things up. When it was time to put me to sleep they kept asking if I was getting tired but I kept shaking my head, I couldn't talk because I had a thing in my mouth to keep it open for the camera. Then suddenly they were waking me up, I had no bad side effects, my oxygen was a bit low but they weren't worried about it too much, they just said to keep an eye on it and if I can't breathe to ring an ambo, or if I started vomiting blood, but so far so good. I get the results on the 11th of March, not looking forward to that appointment either. But I survived and i'm now home
❤
 
Thank you to everyone that sent thoughts and wishes. It meant more to me than you'll ever know. I don't share a lot about me in other places but I feel safe in here and I know people understand, so thank you for that as well..

So the upshot of today was this:
All the worrying I did about todays operation were for nothing, although I was still scared but the nurses are beyond helpful and one held my hand for 10 minutes in the room while the others set things up. When it was time to put me to sleep they kept asking if I was getting tired but I kept shaking my head, I couldn't talk because I had a thing in my mouth to keep it open for the camera. Then suddenly they were waking me up, I had no bad side effects, my oxygen was a bit low but they weren't worried about it too much, they just said to keep an eye on it and if I can't breathe to ring an ambo, or if I started vomiting blood, but so far so good. I get the results on the 11th of March, not looking forward to that appointment either. But I survived and i'm now home
❤
So glad you are home so soon! 💐 💐
 
Thank you to everyone that sent thoughts and wishes. It meant more to me than you'll ever know. I don't share a lot about me in other places but I feel safe in here and I know people understand, so thank you for that as well..

So the upshot of today was this:
All the worrying I did about todays operation were for nothing, although I was still scared but the nurses are beyond helpful and one held my hand for 10 minutes in the room while the others set things up. When it was time to put me to sleep they kept asking if I was getting tired but I kept shaking my head, I couldn't talk because I had a thing in my mouth to keep it open for the camera. Then suddenly they were waking me up, I had no bad side effects, my oxygen was a bit low but they weren't worried about it too much, they just said to keep an eye on it and if I can't breathe to ring an ambo, or if I started vomiting blood, but so far so good. I get the results on the 11th of March, not looking forward to that appointment either. But I survived and i'm now home
❤
Waiting is always such an agonising feeling. Today went well for you and we’ll keep positive thoughts for your results on 11 March.

Thank you for letting us know how you went. We were thinking of you today. Glad that you’re home. ❤️
 
Thank you to everyone that sent thoughts and wishes. It meant more to me than you'll ever know. I don't share a lot about me in other places but I feel safe in here and I know people understand, so thank you for that as well..

So the upshot of today was this:
All the worrying I did about todays operation were for nothing, although I was still scared but the nurses are beyond helpful and one held my hand for 10 minutes in the room while the others set things up. When it was time to put me to sleep they kept asking if I was getting tired but I kept shaking my head, I couldn't talk because I had a thing in my mouth to keep it open for the camera. Then suddenly they were waking me up, I had no bad side effects, my oxygen was a bit low but they weren't worried about it too much, they just said to keep an eye on it and if I can't breathe to ring an ambo, or if I started vomiting blood, but so far so good. I get the results on the 11th of March, not looking forward to that appointment either. But I survived and i'm now home
❤
So glad to hear phase one was a success. Those happy gases are pretty good.
 
I wish I hadn't read this, I go in for my operation tomorrow, Tuesday the 25th, and to say I was already scared is an understatement. I have had so many operations over the years you'd think i'd be used to them by now :(
l do hope your operation went well and was successful. l would have wished you well but somehow l missed seeing this.Please let us know how you are and remember everyone is thinking about you and wishing you all the best.You are very brave.
 
I only have this to say. Near death experience when you are under fentanyl is hardly surprising to see “white” and to feel a “sense of detachment”. Near death experiences are only believable if the person was clinically dead at a time and then was revived. Having said that I join everyone else in wishing anyone facing an operation the very best.
 
Glad to hear your op went well Deni wishing you well for the results.
Pity sometimes we don’t have the trust of children. My 6 year old great granddaughter had her tonsils out on Thursday, she was told all that would happen and was cool as a cucumber about it all. The surgeon said afterwards that she had marched in and hopped on the table very confidently. Her Mum was a bit of a mess though 😂 All went well also.
 

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