Orthopaedic spine surgeon Mary Neal thought near-death experiences could be fully explained by science -- until she had an NDE herself. Dr. Neal drowned while kayaking on a South American river. She was transported to a heavenly realm in the presence of angels and Jesus, and experienced God's all-encompassing love. She was told she had to return to share her story and to a support to her family, because her oldest son would die. Ten years later, after her son died in an accident, she wrote and published a memoir of her experience, To Heaven and Back: A doctor’s extraordinary account of her death, heaven, angels, and life again.

A video interview with Mary Neal on MSNBC, and an excerpt from her book. Also, a blog entry and video by Mary Neal.