Angels in the OR: What Dying Taught Me About Healing, Survival, and Transformation

by Tricia Barker

A life-altering car accident, an act of unforgettable violence... One woman’s courageous story. Tricia Barker was a depressed, agnostic college student at The University of Texas in Austin...until a profound near-death experience (NDE) during surgery revolutionizes her entire world. As she learns to walk again, Tricia lets go of painful wounds from childhood and integrates some of the aftereffects of her spiritual journey into her daily life. She returns to college with renewed vigor, intending to embark on a new path by becoming an English teacher. But after a year of teaching in the US, Tricia travels to South Korea, where she is the victim of a sexual assault. Now, she must use the wisdom she gained on the Other Side to heal herself; and later, guide countless junior high, high school, and college students to greater peace. Through teaching and mentoring others—many of whom are struggling with traumas of their own—Tricia decides to devote her life to bringing the “light” she experienced during her NDE to individuals who are seeking solace, inspiration, and overall well-being.

163 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 16, 2019

Reviews

[John Will · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well-written, fast-paced, inspirational story. It is also the first near-death experience story that I have read by someone with a background in English and Creative Writing. This is definitely one of the best near-death experience books available. The author comes across as an authentic, passionate, beautiful soul.

[C.Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tricia Barker is able to write about angels and Heaven while staying down to Earth. Reading this book felt like visiting with a dear friend over coffee and hearing about her experiences. I found myself reading until three in the morning, knowing my alarm would go off in a few short hours before I would go to work on a ten hour shift, but had to find out what happened next. Tricia is like us. She has struggled and worked hard--and has known pain. She has also been incredibly blessed to get a glimpse of things we can only imagine. This is a book of hope. Her life was changed. Our life can change, too. She found she wasn't alone, and neither are we. Get your cup of coffee, pull up a chair, and get ready to change your life, too.

[Bev Chalman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tricia Barkers Angels in the OR retells the aftermath from a head on collision that leaves her lying in an emergency room for over seventeen hours waiting for a surgeon willing to operate on her broken vertebrae, despite the fact she was uninsured. The horrific realization that we are left to our circumstances with no one obligated to our care is the jarring eye-opener that pulls the reader into this heartfelt story.
Have you ever wondered what happens when you die? Well, only you’ll ever know, but we can know what happened to Tricia Barker as she freely shares this awesome account of healing help from visiting angels in the OR. Inviting readers on her miraculous journey, she successfully navigates the voyage from this world to beyond and back, speaking the unspeakable, conveying the essence of individual universal love. “I saw the light of God in everyone whom I encountered” and “death was a gift—a gift of wisdom and a new perspective” and “that connection to love and source is everything” are some of the many words of truth Tricia was given from enlightened beings.
Additionally, Tricia recounts the appertaining bewilderment and despair she faced years later when she was raped in a foreign country. Having gone abroad to fulfill the teaching assignment given to her on her visit to heaven, this young teacher shares openly the heart wrenching betrayal of cultural mindset and the repercussions of rage and waves of eventual necessary healing from abuse of others and from herself.
With frank language Tricia provides readers the thoughts and actions of a young woman traversing such difficult circumstances yet offering the hope and mindset brought to her from the visitation of angels in the OR. Angels in the OR provides insight so others might foresee similar circumstances, as well as understanding as a support to recover from them. Well organized, the narrations of events in this true story enable readers to flow through often times uncomfortable landscapes with clarity. A must read for women, Angels in the OR should be on the required reading list for all students beginning at grade 7. I highly recommend this wonderful read.

[Brad Topp-Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is truly inspirational. There are many people all over the world who suffer from many different situations and injustices and Tricia Barker does a brilliant job in sharing her life experiences with us. Tricia brings us the central message that "love is everything" whilst opening up about her life with all its ups and downs.

Tricia does not hold back and gives us a very detailed and personal insight into her journey so far. I am amazed at her courage, integrity and deep strength. For her to have gone through what she has and to come out of it inspiring others is definitely a message from God. Read this book and let it bring you the power and positivity that we all can have. Most of all let this book guide you into an embrace that "Love is all that matters!"

[Hilary Leehane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a beautiful book. Tricia tells her story from her heart and allows the love she has for the entire world shine through every paragraph. Her NDE was profound and her story really tells the honest truth of the struggles and triumphs that Experiencer's face.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is facing times of struggle. As I was reading it, it really helped open my eyes to the possibilities in the world and made me think about my higher Self and who I wanted to be.
Thank you for writing this beautiful novel.

[Paulette Upinthebaca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tricia Barker's Angels in the OR, is a heartwarming story of Tricia's experience with the Light and the wisdoms she brought back and how she incorporated them in her own life.Tricia's relationship with her father and his passing is profound and brings the reader to a state of grace. Highly recommend!

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took my by surprise. It was recommended probably because of my interest in near-death experiences. I generally prefer research to the personal memoirs, but this author can really write. This book is inspiration, witty, and intense. I haven't been impressed by many of the NDE memoirs, but this one impressed me for the writing itself and the focus on a mission from the other side to help others. The chapters about her teaching career were great.

[Sue Summerill]

Totally awesome!I !

The author did a fantastic job telling her story. I have read several other books on this topic,but this is written so well. I am a spiritual person and also believe in a spiritual life after we die.God is love 💘.

[starla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really love this book! No one has ever written a book (to my knowledge) which starts with a near-death experience and then offers a lot of spiritual healing societal problems like sexual assault and child abuse. The chapters about teaching were amazing. The book is a quick read and emotionally moving. I'm sure most people picked it up because of the near-death experience (and I thought that was powerful) but I was encouraged more by how the book gave me greater faith that healing might happen for me to a greater degree. I hope this book reaches people like me who have struggled with depression and a tough background.

[E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I already reviewed this book on Audible.

I've read many books on NDEs as well as listened to many accounts, and I think this is a critical book to read. It shows how experiencing something like an NDE doesn't stop you from experiencing trauma both because of the stark contrast between your life experiences and your NDE, and because life doesn't stop happening to you. This makes this one of the most honest NDE books I have ever read.

[Lyra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is simply amazing. Tricia Barker's writing is beautiful. What she went through and then survived in her life is inspiring. I can feel her passion and message of leaning and being connected to love from the other side, LOUD AND CLEAR. Her way of teaching and connecting with students with unconditional love is powerful and relevant. Beautiful book, Highly recommend it.

[Sim Mone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trish has shared her incredible journey, warts and all, with the world. With bravery and humility, Trish walks us on a journey through her vulnerabilities and failings, not shying away from her shortcomings or human flaws. In conjunction with a profound NDE, after time, Trish reconnects with her true self and develops into the brave, powerful and dynamically compassionate person she always meant to be, inspiring and guiding people along her journey

Trish's powerful and beautiful NDE reminds us all of the bigger picture of our lives, and the complete, utter and all-encompassing love which surrounds us all, all of the time, if we could only be still enough to be reminded of it. Moreover, it is a powerful reminder to love, laugh, be kind and compassionate to each other, and yourself. Trish's book reminds us all to live our life fearlessly, and love, love, love, because in the end, nothing else really matters.

I laughed. I cried. I was moved. Thank you Trish for sharing your incredible journey with us, and for reminding us of the realities beyond this human experience.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tricia is a beautiful writer- courageous, relatable, and inspiring. I thoroughly enjoyed reading her memoir, Angels in the OR. These pivotal moments in her life had a cascading effect, positively impacting not only her life but those of us who read her story.

I appreciate and could relate to how Tricia came from an agnostic background initially. I was taken aback by the compelling, verifiable evidence of what she observed out of body during her near death experience. What was even more amazing were the Angels she saw working through the surgeons! Not only that but her extra abilities to tune into them after she recovered from this ordeal. I hope her experience brings light to those curious minds who wonder about what happens to us after we die. I am grateful to learn about the incredible things that happen to us once we shuffle off this mortal coil. It has definitely taken away the fear of death for me.

[Molli Larson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tricia was generous enough to send me a copy of her book. I normally take a week to complete a book because I have 4 children and try to sleep while they're asleep. But I made sure to read her story. I read it in 2 evenings. because she has such an authentic personality. There's no doubt in my mind that her experience was real and that it wasn't from dark influence. She learned that not only is there life after death. But that there is a God. That we are Gods children and loved by the God of Love and wants us to know this. She is helping to shed light on a very important concern of Gods and that is the mistreatment of his precious daughters. Anyone who has been sexually assaulted may have a difficult time reading that portion of her life. But it's important for people to know their value is not dependant on what has happened to them.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m always fascinated with this topic. I like that she talks so much about “light” and it’s healing powers. Her story is one of sheer grit as she tries to heal from wounds of all varieties throughout her life. Some of the writing was repetitive and didn’t flow very well. But the story was compelling and I commend her for all the gifts of love and light she’s given to others, all inspired by her near death experience.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a moving memoir. It gave me greater hope and faith that healing is possible and that the divine can work in our lives. Even the worst of situations can be used to bring greater healing to this world. The author is an alchemist and a beautiful wordsmith. Loved this book!

[Zena Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, easy to read and I just loved the way Tricia writes!

[E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review is on Audible

[Wendy Waters · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Service to others is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves."

A heartfelt memoir from Tricia Barker about her four and half minutes death on the operating table after a car accident that left her with hideous back injuries and the fear that she might never walk again.

There is so much wisdom in this little book (only 218 pages) and whilst much of it is threaded through the events following the accident, the absolute pearls are found in the last 18 pages where I marked up so many quotes for my review I ended up simply writing "all of this" at the beginning of the chapter.

I am fascinated by NDEs and some of them take me into worlds on the other side of the Milky Way and beyond but Ms Barker has kept it close to home and simple. She gleans heartfelt universal messages for all us.

"Love is all that matters"

"Much of healing is common sense."

"Healing came through faith in my divine purpose and not fighting that purpose." I wish every soul on earth could get THIS message!

"As a culture we are in desperate need of innocence, play and healing." Amen!

"My inner child loves to laugh and dance under the stars. She sends wishes to the moon when it is full, and watches those wishes magically descend into her life." Beautiful!

I look for messages in everything and everyone. I also look for confirmation of my chosen path, the hope that it is aligned with my highest purpose and in connection with Divinity. In a world skewed with false values and the erroneous worship of money as both goal and process and war as a viable option to express dissent, Angels in the OR is a precious reminder that love truly has both gravitas and momentum in every transaction, human and divine. It is the fuel and flow of life and light is the camber.

A beautiful book that I highly recommend.

[Michael Kuzmicz · Rating 2 out of 5]

A great message if only the author followed upher message through her actions in some parts.of.the book

The author's NDE and the compelling message that she brought back with her in a nutshell that love is indeed all that matters was inspirational. The story really touched me and I would have recommended it until I got towards the end of the book when she started to relay stories which demonstrated hatred (her words not mine) and that she didn't care that she felt that way or used vulgar or profane language in response to them. This is not to condone the actions of those who engage in victim which is inappropriate but based upon the message she brought back and purported to live is it also inappropriate to respond to hate with hate and not love if love is in fact all that matters. She also broadly characterized Christian's, people who are pro life (as angry white men which is not only a judgemental non loving statement as factually untrue as there are also non whites, woman and non angry men who also happen to be pro life. It unfortunately took away from an otherwise inspiring message. If she had used it as way to respond with love or admitted that was inconsistent with her purported message it would have made for a much better book and shown that the message that she received was demonstrated in her actions in these instances as opposed to contrary to them. It ended up disappointing me because I expected more.

[Kate Swain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tricia’s book, "Angels in the OR" is a truly remarkable and inspiring book that captivated me from beginning to end. Barker's deeply personal and heartfelt account of her near-death experience and subsequent transformation is both captivating and enlightening. Her book is a testament to the power of hope, resilience, and the profound impact that near-death experiences can have on our lives.
One of the aspects that sets this book apart is its authenticity. Barker's storytelling is raw, honest, and transparent, leaving no stone unturned in recounting her extraordinary journey. She shares her experiences with vulnerability, inviting readers to connect with her on a deeply emotional level. It is this genuine portrayal of her life-altering encounters that makes "Angels in the OR" an exceptional read. She seamlessly blends her own experiences with insightful reflections on consciousness, the afterlife, and the interconnectedness of all beings. I give this book my highest recommendation.

[andy hines · Rating 1 out of 5]

Do not confuse this book with a Biblical experience

I would not demean the writer’s story in any way. I would simply say it’s not to be confused with an experience someone would have as a believer. Scriptures says absent from the body present with the Lord. No where in the story does she speak of the name of Jesus. Satan appears as an angel of light and while the story is interesting at first, it slowly falls apart with it’s consistent use of sexual references and bad language. I rate it so low because the title is misleading. One would think the story would be more about her experience while “dead” and the impact it had on her life. I saw little life change as it would be had she actually experienced Christ. No mention of Jesus in the book in any way shape or form. This is a solid ***DO NOT READ***

[Stephanie Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always loved reading books about Near Death Experiences. It has always made me feel the greatest amount of comfort about our lives here on earth. However, when my father died unexpectedly 2 weeks before my son was born, I really felt a need for a connection to the other side. Tricia's book really spoke to me, as someone who was also in their 20's in the 90's, I felt a connection to the life she described. It gives me such peace to know there is another side, there are angels watching out for us, and we do have a purpose here on earth. I hope to read more from her!

[Kate Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book such a wonderful inspiration. Tricia writes an honest account of the realistic twists and turns that life takes especially for women. I took great comfort in her words and highly recommend this book. It goes beyond the typical near death experience and shows that life goes on good, bad and messy we still have to do the work but if we choose to do it in love we begin to heal our own wounds. Men, if you want a little insight into what life can be like for women please read!

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast-moving, interesting story. Begins with the accident and jumps right into her near-death experience which lasts for several chapters. I liked seeing how a young person had to struggle through some of life's challenges after such an experience but learn how to heal herself from the traumas and struggles of this world.

[Deborah Underwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful and Inspiring

One of the best books on near-death experiences I have ever read and I've read many. Couldn't put this book down - I only hope Tricia writes more in the future.

[Oscar Saucedo]

This book puts you in a situation that you would never be able to fully relate to unless you experience it. Barker puts you in her shoes in detail from the moment the accident happened to when her soul was out of her body. Definitely a must read for anybody looking for a heart racing story.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very inspiring. Tricia is someone who really resonates with me because we have so much in common, and I found this a quick read (listen...I ordered it from Audible) that was very inspiring and educational. I would call it a page-turner. I highly recommend it.

[taskeinc · Rating 4 out of 5]

More of an Autobiography

Wanted to read more about her NDE, because Ms. Barker's YouTube video is what led to me buying her book.

I do not regret reading Angels in the OR because I did learn a bit more about metaphysics.

[Kathleen O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so brave, full of love, and life lessons. It’s a must read for any woman especially those who are survivors of trauma by men. It feels like you’re right there with the author learning all she learned as she grew and awakened. One of my favorite books! Savoring each page.