A few years ago, Lisa and I crossed paths at ShopRite, where I worked. It all began when I started assisting her with her grocery shopping. Over time, our connection deepened, and our friendship flourished.

I looked forward to seeing her every Saturday. Time seemed to fly when we were together, as we shared our weekly stories and experiences. Our bond remains unbreakable, even though I moved on from that job. It started as a simple act of assistance that turned into an enduring friendship. I am here to share Lisa's incredible story.

Lisa Brnicevic is 59 years old and grew up in a small town in Stirling, New Jersey. Her fond memories include family vacations down the shore, talking about cars with her friends, and trips to Canada. She loved working in her family-owned restaurant as well as the bakery down the street. She even worked on her days off. Lisa enjoyed the simplicity of life. She had described herself as a "free bird," until something happened that changed her life forever.

At 37 years old, Lisa was prescribed antibiotics for a common cold, Lisa inadvertently mixed them with alcohol on the second day of the regimen. What seemed like a minor oversight led to a nightmarish sequence of events. She woke up in the middle of the night feeling very ill, she was uncontrollably throwing up to the point where she was rushed to the hospital. Lisa's health deteriorated rapidly, leading doctors to induce a coma for six weeks. They didn't know what was wrong and didn't want the condition to worsen. Lisa's battle for recovery was not easy, but her family was right by her side. She faced two near-death experiences during her coma. She doesn't recall anything in those six weeks, but she does remember her surreal encounter with an otherworldly realm. The vivid imagery of white clouds, bub

bles, towering mountains, and an overwhelming sense of joy left an indelible mark on her consciousness. Lisa recalls the moment she lunged at one of these ethereal clouds, only to have them pull back. In an instant, everything turned completely black, marking the awakening from her coma. Lisa's journey to the edge of life and back was a profound and transformative experience.

When Lisa emerged from the coma, she faced a reality drastically different from

the one she once knew. She was immobilized and connected to various medical devices. She found herself equipped with a feeding tube and a tracheostomy. She was perplexed by her surroundings at the hospital. A wave of unhappiness swept over her, yearning for the chance to return to that surreal tranquility. The aftermath of Lisa's condition was profound. She was unable to walk or talk and was stripped of her sense of taste and smell. Lisa's world was transformed.

INSEPARABLE: Lisa Brnicevic with the author; "Our bond remains unbreakable, even though I moved on from that job. It started as a simple act of assistance that turned into an enduring friendship."