A medical emergency that left a woman clinically dead for nearly three minutes became what she describes as an unforgettable glimpse into the afterlife. Janelle Wooford’s extraordinary account of cardiac arrest and what she experienced during those moments has offered comfort to many grappling with questions about what lies beyond.
The incident occurred on November 8, 2021, immediately following a meal when Wooford noticed alarming symptoms beginning with pain in her left shoulder that rapidly spread to her jaw. Her palms became sweaty, and breathing became labored and difficult. Recognizing the severity of her condition, she suspected a heart-related problem.
Emergency response and sudden collapse
Wooford quickly informed her daughter about her deteriorating condition before dialing 911 for emergency assistance. When paramedics arrived and began their assessment, asking standard questions about her identity and symptoms, Wooford attempted to describe what she was experiencing.
“She’s like, ‘call 911,'” Janelle says. “So, I did. They came in and I remember the EMT started asking me questions, who I was, and how I was feeling, and I started to describe to him the pain and what all the symptoms were that I was feeling. All of a sudden, I just said, ‘My head feels funny.’ I said, ‘And my vision.’ And at that point all I saw, it was like this veil – this white, cloudy veil just kind of came down. And that was it.”
An experience beyond earthly comprehension
What happened next, according to Wooford, defied ordinary explanation. She describes finding herself in an intensely bright environment where feelings of peace, comfort, and profound joy enveloped her completely. All earthly concerns vanished, and she felt no desire to return to her previous state.
“It was a place of comfort. It was like a familiar place. I knew people that I loved were there, and I was looking to see what was there and who all was there. It was just beautiful. No pain, no fear, just peace, comfort, and joy. It was amazing. Why would you want to leave? I didn’t,” she recounted.
A voice calling her back
During this profound experience, Wooford heard someone calling her name. She initially chose not to respond, but when the voice persisted, she decided to answer, believing that responding might grant her permission to return to that place in the future. The moment she acknowledged the voice, she found herself back on earth, surrounded by emergency medical personnel and her daughter.
During the time Wooford was experiencing what she describes as heaven, emergency responders were performing CPR and using defibrillation in attempts to restart her heart after she went into cardiac arrest. Their initial efforts proved unsuccessful, and Wooford remained without a heartbeat for approximately three minutes.
Medical diagnosis and recovery
Medical professionals transported Wooford to a hospital where diagnostic tests revealed a small tear in her artery. After a two-day hospital stay, she was released with assurances that the arterial tear would heal naturally over time.
Finding purpose in the experience
Reflecting on the reality of her experience, Wooford expressed conviction that divine intervention played a role, particularly for the benefit of her daughter.
“So, that she can have that reassurance to know, truly know, that Jesus is real, God is real, Heaven is real and it’s all worth it. To know that whatever you go through on this earth, in this earthly life, as bad and as hard as it is, it’s worth it to know Jesus as your savior and to trust God with all you’re going through.”
Wooford emphasized that earthly language fails to capture the magnificence of what she witnessed during those moments.
“There is nothing on this earth that can even give you a comprehension of how amazing and glorious the peace and the joy is up there. The knowledge of knowing that Heaven is there waiting on me, on everyone that trusts and believes in Him – it’s just amazing.”
WATCH: Janelle Wooford Shares Powerful Testimony
