I have over 20 years' experience as an ICU/trauma nurse. An experience I shall never forget occurred over 15 years ago in a step-down unit. I was working the night shift in the ICU as team leader; the step-down unit was next to our unit. Around 0200 a young nurse from the step-down unit came over and asked me to check on a patient whose eyes were open but who was not responding to verbal or noxious stimuli.

When I saw the patient, it became evident a code blue (cardiac arrest) had to be started right away. That night we were short on IV poles, so I played the role of IV pole, holding up the bags of fluids and overseeing the code. Later, one of the respiratory therapists took over the IV pole role and I went to sit on the chair. I had a really good view of the patient.

Suddenly I saw something that amazed me. From the patient's chest area I saw something rise into the air. The best way I can describe it is that it looked like that shimmering one sees rising over the highway on a very hot summer day. It appeared to be contained, nearly oval in shape, but I lost sight of it when it reached about three feet above the patient.

At the same time, something inside told me that the patient was not coming back - and she did not. She was only 52 years old and, as we sometimes say in the medical field, had no reason to take such a turn.

Patricia L.

Please respond to: john@beyondreligion.com

Posted July 15, 2012