Navigating Life-Threatening Illness in the ICU: A Guide for Patients and Families by Laurin Bellg MD

BajaLeslie: I had a hard time putting this book down. I have read a few other books on the subject of NDEs, but this one is by far the best. The author, as an active (not retired) MD, has a lot to lose by publishing it. Her credibility as a doctor is on the line. But she courageously wrote this book & I am grateful to her for it. I have been fascinated by this subject for years, but this is the first one I've found where the author has had access to many, many patients right after they've regained consciousness AND she often was the doctor on duty in the ICU when they had the NDE. She is able to witness the event from both sides: the medical side, & the patient's experience as they relate it to her. She is careful not to ask them leading questions or try to shape the outcome. There are no religious suppositions. She has a wonderful, scientific curiosity & a caring disposition towards her patients & their families. Bravo! Thank you for writing this book, Dr. Bellg. Please write another one!

United States on Feb 17, 2024

warren p.: Dr. Bellg has written an incredible book. It is extremely fascinating and very well written. I enjoyed it a great deal.

United States on Nov 18, 2023

Irma Rose Frazier: I really liked this book for it’s telling of what people experienced without embellishments. I believe it should be required reading for every medical student no matter their specialty. Allowing a person to claim their experience as real to them can only be helpful for them in healing and acceptance of whatever trauma or illness they are dealing with. I really did enjoy this book and it’s nice knowing others experience things that are not materially explainable.

United States on Oct 19, 2023

Lesley: Why has it taken so long for us to be open about our unusual experiences, without fear of being judged to be deluded, or worse, mentally unwell; Closed minds, that's why.
That a scientifically trained physician is at last willing to publicly share these shared experiences, without fear of judgement by her peers, encourages those of us who have had similar 'unusual experiences' to silently cheer 'At last!'

United Kingdom on Nov 30, 2022

Morgan: This is the best book on NDEs and NDEers I've ever read, and I've read many. For starters, Dr. Bellg is a brilliant writer. The book is so good I didn't want to put it down. She never loses the reader, even during her descriptions of medical proceedures where I have no idea what she's talking about. I could pretend I was a medical progessional standing beside her, thinking, "Ok, yeah, I agree that's the best course of action. Please proceed" lol. The only bad thing I can say about this book is that it's too short. I wanted more.

For me, there are two aspects of this book that really make it stand out. One is the open-minded and compassionate attitude Dr. Bellg takes toward people who have had anomalous experiences during moments of trauma or emotional distress. Her viewpoint helped me shed a new light on my own struggle with dismissing anything for which there is not solid evidence in the physical world. There are things I want to believe, things that would probably have a positive impact on my life; but there is always the harsh taskmaster within that says, "You have no evidence for that. It's nothing but a thought in your head. You need proof." Dr. Bellg gently reminds us...

United States on Feb 08, 2020

Nicole: I thoroughly enjoyed reading Dr. Bellg's book. It was worth every penny I paid for it. When I had my first child, I had an out-of-body experience too. I was told much later that they had almost lost me. It happened 51 years ago and I can remember it like it was yesterday. The feeling of being out-of-body is the most intensive experience I have ever had in my life. Being suddenly totally out of pain and knowing that it was ME that I was looking at from above, was truly freeing and it is true that the sense that it no longer matters what is happening to the body - to me - is a gift from God. Never will I ever be afraid to die. As a matter of fact, I am quite looking forward to it. I just pray that I won't suffer for a long period of time though (I'm not crazy after all....) but I know how it will end and that brings me great comfort. In those days, we didn't talk about those things but now that my husband had one too (at the point of death, but survived) we are able to talk and share the experience. Dr. Bellg is so right on. Although, I was a tad disappointed that any spiritual attachment was avoided (I can only guess, must have been) I still am amazed at her incredible compassion...

United States on Apr 13, 2019

Kushal: I came across this book on a facebook page for NDEs, read the sample and could not stop myself from buying it. The book makes you realize that the universe is strange enough to have an open mind about these extraordinary experiences you come across. Definitely recommended! Enjoy.

India on Mar 25, 2018

Carol Ellan: Dr. Bellg documents her professional experience with people who have had remarkable experiences at times of dire injuries or trauma. The book is interesting not only because of the experiences and their veridibility but because of her compassionate take on the standard medical dismissals of those experiences. Particularly impressive are the conversations with patients and family members who prefer to deny these experiences rather than acknowledge them and the positive results that arose from letting the patients "have" their beliefs in what they thought had happened to them.

Canada on Sep 01, 2017

Tigg Gordon: Good read, honest and easy to read. Worth the purchase.

Canada on Jan 15, 2017

Annette: I really loved the stories told of what people have experienced beyond 'the veil'.

It is definitely worth purchasing particularly if someone is interested in the topic, facing a critical illness themselves or have recently lost a loved one, as it offers a tremendous sense of comfort in the fact that our consciousness may in fact survive our physical death.

The only thing I didn't like was being constantly reminded that we should be open to being tolerant & accepting of people having & telling of their experiences. I totally agree, but don't need to be told over & over again!

Australia on Aug 27, 2016