Near Death in the ICU - Stories from Patients Near Death and Why We Should Listen to Them

Aug 2, 2026

Near Death in the ICU collects intimate accounts from critically ill patients and reflects on what their experiences reveal about life, illness, and dying. Through case-based narratives, the book explores near-death themes such as fear, altered perception, and the role of belief systems in medical outcomes. It also addresses how clinicians and the public can keep an open mind, find comfort and hope, and reconsider what they believe about death.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages165

Reading Time6 h 56 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

When Doctors Die

The Fatality of Fear

The View From Above

Reality Is Relative

Rethinking Impossible

The Unusual Question

The Heart Can Wait

Seeing the Whole Elephant

Shades of Blue

Bedside Visitations

The Anchor of Limiting Beliefs

Honor My Truth

Conclusion

Afterword - by Dr. Janice Holden

Acknowledgements

Near Death in the ICU STORIES FROM PATIENTS NEAR DEATH AND WHY WE SHOULD LISTEN TO THEM Laurin Bellg, MD Copyright © 2016 by Laurin Bellg All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, transmitted or used in any form by any means – including mechanical, electronic, photocopy, scan, recording or any other method – without express written permission of the author and the publisher. Published by Sloan Press, Appleton, Wisconsin Sloan Press is an imprint of LifePath LLC, 1620 S. Lawe St., Appleton, [Wisconsin 54915. ](Wisconsin 54915. www.LifePathGroup.org)[www.LifePathGroup.org](Wisconsin 54915. www.LifePathGroup.org)[ ](Wisconsin 54915. www.LifePathGroup.org)Near Death in the ICU is a trademark of LifePath LLC ISBN 978-0-9965103-0-1 eISBN 978-0-9965103-1-8 Library of Congress Control Number: 2015918653 Interior design and formatting by Whole Enchilada Cover design concept by Patty Ray Avalon [www.avalonart.gallery](www.avalonart.gallery) Final cover production by Accurance Laurin Bellg, MD [www.laurinbellg.com](www.laurinbellg.com) “Dr. Bellg ’s book Near Death in the ICU is an extraordinary piece of writing by an extraordinary physician. It’s a must readforphysicians and medical students, who can benefit from her ways and her wisdom. In fact, a must read for all of us. Her story, her patients ’stories, and her reflections offer us opportunities to reconsider what we may understand about le and death. And in the process, we may find comfort, inspiration and hope for navigating our experiences of living, illness and dying.” – Patricia Muehsam, MD, Founder of Transformational MedicineTM, Developer of the Association of American Medical Colleges’ and The Mount Sinai School of Medicine’s first initiative in curriculum development in alternative and complementary medicine. “What a wonderful book! Laurin Bellg writes beautifulyl – I couldn ’t put the book down, read itfrom front to back in aboutfour hours. Laurin ’s writing is clear and well-organized and reaches both the layperson and the most sophisticated surgeon. Every chapter ofthe book is realyl instructive, for the public and medical professionals – especialyl for doctors – but afords the reader complete freedom to decide what these experiences mean. The book ’s narrative is totalyl believable because ofthe detailed descriptions ofthe medical cases. In nearyl all ofthe cases, Laurin was right there as the primary witness, in charge of the medical emergency and the follow-up care. The book leads the reader on a fascinating journey exploring the dferent aspects of near-death experiences and demonstrating the need to keep an open mind about the phenomenon, because we don ’t realyl know the whole story yet.” – Robert Mays, researcher in near-death studies and board member at the International Association of Near-Death Studies. This book is dedicated to all those having near-death experiences, whose stories deserve to be heard, respected and honored. Introduction 1. When Doctors Die 2. The Fatality of Fear 3. The View From Above 4. Reality Is Relative 5. Rethinking Impossible 6. The Unusual Question 7. The Heart Can Wait 8. Seeing the Whole Elephant 9. Shades of Blue 10 Bedside Visitations 11 The Anchor of Limiting Beliefs 12 Honor My Truth Conclusion Afterword – by Dr. Janice Holden Acknowledgements I was twenty-something and sick – realyl sick. I wouldn’t know how ill I was until years later, when I understood septic shock and how quickly and badly normal body function unravels under its influence. Bacteria had slipped quietly into my bloodstream, and I had no idea how terribly it was assaulting me until it was almost too late. I was working in viral research at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee when it happened. My back had been hurting all day, but I assumed I had pulled a muscle while transferring the large wooden trays filled with dozens of eggs from an incubator t

FAQs

What is the book’s purpose in sharing near-death stories from ICU patients?

The book presents patient experiences and reflections to help readers reconsider what they may understand about life and death, encouraging listening and openness to these accounts.

How does the book address the role of fear in near-death experiences?

It dedicates a section titled “The Fatality of Fear,” examining how fear can shape perception and belief, and how reframing beliefs can influence how people interpret events near death.

What kinds of experiences and themes are explored in the main chapters?

The chapters cover multiple themes, including altered perspective (“The View From Above”), relative reality (“Reality Is Relative”), and belief-limiting factors (“The Anchor of Limiting Beliefs”), alongside related reflections and bedside visitations.

Aug 2, 2026

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