Lauren Canaday, a woman from Virginia, experienced clinical death for a staggering 24 minutes following a cardiac arrest induced by shock. She reveals the true sensation of nearly dying and reflects on how the experience has transformed her.

Lauren Canaday, a 39-year-old woman from Virginia, was pronounced clinically dead for 24 minutes following a cardiac arrest. After being resuscitated, she expressed feeling as though she has been given a “second life” and highlighted the unexpected positive changes it has brought.
Canaday recently shared her experience of death and resurrection during an interview with Newsweek. Eight months ago, she suffered a sudden cardiac arrest at her home, during which her blood flow ceased for an astonishing 24 minutes.
Canaday, who has been managing epilepsy with medication, experienced a grand mal seizure on that fateful day, leading to aggressive muscle contractions and loss of consciousness, ultimately resulting in her cessation of breathing.
Canaday told Newsweek that her husband was in a nearby room when he overheard her exclaim, “oh s***.”
He quickly came to her aid and found her unconscious and unresponsive on the floor, prompting him to call 911 and perform CPR until the paramedics arrived.
After receiving medical attention, she was diagnosed with myocarditis, exacerbated by a recent COVID-19 infection.
Remarkably, she left the ICU after just nine days. Canaday mentioned that once her memory returned, she realized her mindset had drastically shifted since the incident.

“In those initial days, I felt a lot of frustration due to my lack of short-term memory and confusion about the situation. I was incredibly uncomfortable,” she explained.

However, as her recovery progressed and doctors confirmed her cognitive well-being, Canaday discovered immense joy in small moments, such as showering or savoring a hospital cheeseburger.

I found myself getting incredibly excited about simple things, like cheeseburgers. Everything just felt so uncomplicated,” she reflected.
It’s like I have two birthdays.

In my first life, I was very independent and resilient. Now, I have a completely different perspective and am mostly at ease relying on others…

Things like status and career success are not as important as meeting survival needs, having basic comforts, and helping others in the present.”

Canaday admitted to being forced to leave her job, but she utilized her free time to pen a memoir, which was published in November, titled ‘Independence Ave: How Individualism Killed Me and Community Brought Me Back.’

The book delves into the experience of living with chronic illness and the journey of rebuilding one’s life after a life-altering event.
Canaday mentioned that she has now made the simple things in life a priority, such as ensuring she gets enough rest, eating healthily, exercising, practicing meditation, and nurturing her relationships.

“I make it a point to achieve 10,000 steps daily and go on a hike once a week, as far as I can manage,” she explained. “I dedicate ample time to quiet activities, including silent prayer or meditation, and I typically go to bed around 8 p.m.”

Canaday expressed her passion for sharing her story, as she believes her experiences can be beneficial to others who have undergone similar challenges.

She considers herself fortunate, as only 10 percent of individuals who suffer from sudden cardiac arrest at home survive.