All I remember is nothing. It was bizarre, but not scary. It wasn't until then that I realized that even in your deepest sleep, a part of you is still conscious, listening to what's going on and metering time. It was shocking when I realized that there is something below that, in which there is no activity. It's much like the memories from before I was born.

Reading this just made me tear up. I have never been able to describe this, and this is...perfect. Thank you. Your experience sound so similar to mine. I was breathing about once per minute when the ambulance came, and had to be fully resuscitated in the ER. The only thing I clearly remember for 3 days is a flash, just a moment from the ER. The brightest light I've ever seen. If not for the profile of the nurse in front of the light, talking to me, asking me questions, I may have thought I saw something I did not. But I know it was just the overhead light.

I don't know how long I stopped breathing all together, but it wasn't long. However, they had no idea how long I had been breathing at a slow rate, so they did not have an idea about damage. When I woke up three days later, I woke up to a conversation between the doctor and my mom, telling her there was a good chance I would be brain damaged. I was on a respirator and strapped to the bed. I remember wanting to shout to them that I was right there, but I couldn't speak and I couldn't move. It was freaky.

The only other thing I vaguely I remember (dreamlike) is a friend sneaking in to visit in the middle of the night, and staying to talk to me forever, even though I couldn't speak to him (still on respirator and restrained, also very out of it). Afterwards, I was thankful to him for a long time for being the only person to talk to me and not about me during those few days.

I also remember having the respirator taken out, which sucked. Everything else is either just a blur, or nothing. Just stillness.