Wow Sadie, that's interesting stuff! My dad had a similar experience when my great-uncle died- he was walking up the stairs, and felt as though he was passing through a haze of smoke. It smelt that way. Uncle Willie had just died, of smoking related diseases.
I've read up a lot about NDEs lately. I am prone to belief over cynicism. But I do think that some instances are very difficult to question! For example a patient relating back things that have happened inside and outside of the room. (Colours and other visual feedback, not just auditory) when they were actually unconscious, etc. In one that I read, a young boy came back to life, and told his parents he had been sent back by his sister whom he saw in heaven. They both said that couldn't be, that his sister was safe at college.They found out the next day that she had died in a fatal accident the day before.
I think they are great! They nearly always speak of similar experiences in heaven, often of Jesus, and mainly of livinv in love. As I consider this to be our calling, clearly I am biased towards them!