Hi Lynn.

The following is an entry in a journal I kept while in college:

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3/12/85
Two nights ago I had one of the most fascinating experiences of my life. Fascinating and extremely frightening at the same time.

Scott and Barb were up in the sky bed. It was around 2:00 am and I was having a hard time falling asleep (too much coffee). I manage to doze off and had a dream. I dreamt I got out of bed to close the window. I came up to the window. The curtains were closed but I could see the light reflecting off the house next door through the curtains.

I looked down to see what resembled a black, shriveled hand or tree branch come rapidly through the open window and grab at my solar plexus. I was startled-frightened. I could feel the fear welling up from my stomach. I backed away quickly and tripped over the corner of the bed. I was unable to use my hands to break my fall. I fell in slow motion for what seemed about 20 seconds. I thought of Scott and Barb above me to the left. I kept falling. I thought of my head hitting the floor. I was almost horizontal and then- “nothing”. The nothingness lasted for maybe a few seconds and then I realized I was on my bed, on my back. But I was not there. Nothing but blackness- total darkness. I tried to sit up but couldn’t. I was scared.

I was very small “within” myself, like being in a small closet in a dark basement of a very large house.

“What is happening?” I thought. I wondered if I was paralyzed for a moment and then the fear welled up inside me as the thought I might be dying came to mind.

I called out “Scott! Barb!” but I knew that my lips were barely moving and I couldn’t force the air from my lungs to speak- only normal very slow breathing. I could hear Barb sigh and Scott role over. I called out again. “Scott! Barb! HELP-HELP Please HELP! “

I wanted them to come down and shake me- move me so I could “feel” myself again, but my lips and tongue barely moved.

The next thing I remember I was slowly waking up and remembering what had happened- it sent chills up and down my spine. I wondered if what I experienced was like being in a coma.

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I did find an explantion for it years later and I'll post it if I can find the source.