• [Dailystar Icon]
• News
• Weird News
• Near-death experience

Nurse convinced death isn't the end after 'seeing robed being' on operating table

Mum-of-two Candice Purchase was diagnosed with a hole in her heart after suffering a pulmonary embolism and multiple strokes - and she claims she had a life-changing 'afterlife' experience during her heart surgery

[Candice Purchase experienced the 'afterlife' while she underwent heart surgery awake ]

Candice Purchase experienced the 'afterlife' while she underwent heart surgery awake (Image: candicepurchasemedium/Instagram)

A nurse says she is convinced "death isn't the end" after she was forced to undergo surgery on heart as she laid awake on the operating table. Candice Purchase claims life now holds a "deeper meaning" after she experienced the "afterlife" first hand during the intense procedure.

The mum-of-two spookily described the "biggest, brightest white light" she had ever witnessed and recalled being "surrounded by peace and love" as surgeons worked on fitting her with a device to correct her ticker.

People who have come close to death often report having out of body experiences. One woman, for example, recently spoke out about how she "died" momentarily while giving birth and now no longer believes death exists due to what she saw.

Candice Purchase first learnt she had a cardiac defect following a pulmonary embolism and several strokes. The devastating diagnosis at 30 meant she needed a patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure, which involves sealing the gap between the heart's two upper chambers using a permanent device.

Unfortunately, Candice had to remain conscious throughout the procedure - yet having endured the ordeal, it helped to transform her perspective on both life and death.

[Candice Purchase]

Candice says she no longer fears death(Image: INSTAGRAM/CANDICE PURCHASE)

"As the surgeon went to the main artery of my leg to feed the device up towards my heart, I was in another space in an instance," she told UniLad, noting that understandably she was trembling with terror.

Elaborating on the bright white light, she continued: "I remember not thinking, not having any fears, thoughts, worries or stresses. I found myself sitting at the bottom of a big presence, and I believe this was my guide."

For Candice, however, it wasn't merely a spiritual awakening - she insists she physically "felt" sensations during her encounter too, including a "loose material between her fingers".

She expanded: "I sensed a second presence with him, that I was feeling the bottom of his robe. When I looked at myself it was as if I was a child."

Candice also sensed the presence "coming towards the top of her head" before regaining consciousness on the operating table with a doctor enquiring if she was alright. Yet, when nurses questioned her about what she had experienced, she "couldn't speak" about the encounter - nor did she share it with others in the months afterwards for fear of being disbelieved.

Today, Candice believes life holds a "deeper meaning" and remains convinced death isn't the end - something she had previously questioned.

"It changed a lot about what I thought, and it brought me even closer to my faith," she summarised. "When you pass away, you take nothing with you from the physical life. You are not angry, you're not sad, you're not holding on to anything. You're in a perfect state of peace. And you feel so loved, you feel like you're home."

No longer practicing as a nurse, meanwhile, Candice has since embarked on a career in healing and now operates as an evidential medium, offering readings to her clients.

Scholars generally agree that during an OBE, an individual feels their consciousness is located outside their physical body or experience a "split-self," with one part observing and one participating.

• OBEs typically include common features such as:
• Perceiving oneself floating from an elevated position
• Viewing the world and self from this elevated perspective
• Experiencing a disconnect between the body and self
• Feeling that the experience is highly realistic

Very Well Mind adds: "There isn't much data available about out-of-body experiences, but some estimates suggest that around 5% of the population will have at least one OBE during their lifetime."

For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.

[Dailystar Icon]

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Choose Daily Star as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.