Foreword by

I was at work in my clinic one morning in January 2016, when I received a call from Melanie Gentile. It was not about Melanie’s daughter, Maria. She has a neurodegenerative condition called Rett syndrome which affects girls almost exclusively with neurological symptoms that start during infancy. Among other things, the condition is associated with seizures that can be hard to control. I therefore thought that Melanie was calling me regarding a seizure that Maria was having. I have been Maria’s pediatric neurologist for many years and have treated her for her seizures which have included multiple trips to the hospital (including ER, hospitalization and ICU admission) however, this call was different. It was not regarding Maria, but instead Rob, Melanie’s husband. Rob was in the hospital fighting for his life.

Although Rob was not my patient Melanie knew she could call me with this emergency and that I would do what I could. Melanie is a well-informed and knowledgeable pharmacist and has had the opportunity to work and collaborate with several leading physicians across the country. As a conventionally trained and board-certified neurologist, I have endeavored to learn everything I could about the brain and neurological conditions having had the opportunity to do part of my neurology training at leading institutions including Johns Hopkins, Mayo Clinic and several others. However, I have had to also look outside of traditional medicine for answers not found in conventional medicine; hence my connection with Melanie who was on that same path. Together, we have been putting together safe and natural treatment protocols to help special needs children.

When Melanie started explaining to me what was going on, I could hardly believe what I was hearing. Her husband Rob, had had a massive heart attack, was in a coma and it was very uncertain if he would make it or not. I had not known Rob to be sick previously, so this news really shocked me. Melanie was very shaken up, understandably so.

I rearranged my day to come right away to see Rob. After arriving in the hospital, I saw Melanie and Rob’s brothers. I did my best to encourage them, especially Melanie who was visibly shaky. I spoke to some of the ICU physicians and asked to see Rob. He was in a critical state. Based on my training and experience as a neurologist, I felt that Rob’s prognosis based on what he had experienced, and his current clinical status was dire with the possibility of death or at least severe cardiac and neurological sequelae. I told Melanie, however, that it was in God’s hands and if it was his will then Rob could pull through—in my heart I knew that healing was possible.

As the days unfolded, the picture did not look good and it was determined that Rob needed a new heart (cardiac transplantation).

I later had the opportunity to see Rob in a hospital in Chicago prior to the heart transplantation. From the beginning, when Rob started telling me about his near-death experience, I immediately believed he needed to write a book. I encouraged him on several occasions, subsequently to write about his experiences as it was clear to me that it would touch many lives (as it had mine).

There is something in Quarks of Light for everyone. It covers spirituality, medicine, the philosophy of life, science, society and more. I am sure while reading this book you will feel the urge to re-examine your life to make sure you are living to the fullest. You may look at others with more understanding, you may ponder meditatively on the meaning of life and death. You may at times, as I have, laugh, cry, or express other emotions. Whether you are a parent of a special needs child, a physician like me, a church leader, a chronically ill individual, or an ordinary person who is afraid of death or, for that matter, life, there is something for you in this book. Common themes in Quarks of Light include the concept of unity, the power of light, the value of each life and finding one’s purpose in this life. The entire set of events, from beginning to end, that led to Rob getting a heart transplant is itself miraculous. There is also a lesson of not giving up, being persistent, and having hope even in the darkest hour.

Rob had a massive heart attack, failed initial attempts at CPR, and was in a coma. Apart from his miraculous, marvelous and meaningful recovery, Rob was blessed to have a powerful neardeath experience (NDE). This experience completely revolutionized his way of thinking about self and others, including his neurologically impaired daughter. I myself first became interested in NDEs back in the early 90s while I was working on a thesis paper entitled “a Biopsychosociospiritual (BPSS) approach to mind-body interactions.” In that paper, I described a variety of mind-body phenomena including the near-death experience (NDE). I argued that an NDE simply could not be explained by a reductionistic biophysical paradigm. A much broader construct (i.e. BPSS) was needed to properly address this phenomenon (and others like it). To understand what I am talking about, consider a statement that Rob wrote in the chapter “Into the Ethereal.” He describes the following experience: “Knowledge of how the universe works is understood in a flash. I sense complex mathematical equations around me, almost hanging in the air along with their solutions. The nature of the universe and the laws that govern its design are elegant. All I have to do is observe and any question is already answered.”

Although I have never had an NDE, I can relate to what Rob describes in that I had a very similar experience while I was in medical school. I laid my head down prior to attending class in a separate room, and I fell into a trance-like state (unprompted). In that incorporeal state, I had a sudden understanding of deep mysteries, was able to solve complex mathematical equations and had a profound understanding of life in a way that had never been part of my conscious thought. Unfortunately, I was disturbed by my friend sitting next to me who said, “wake up it’s time for class.” I could not remember the details of what I had just experienced which was and is still very frustrating to me. Rob’s experience, fortunately, gives us a more sustained glimpse into a dimension that transcends our senses and material paradigm. As Rob says, “The only language I can find is that the veil was lifted, and I was given a glimpse into the spiritual realm.”

This book is riveting from beginning to end. From life to death and back to life again (this time a more vibrant and enlightened life) and from an orb of light to universal light, Rob explains how truly transformational his experiences have been. This book offers deep insight and hope for individuals assailed by the vicissitudes of life. Faith is more powerful than fear. Light conquers darkness. Hope is a strong force, one that motivated a grieving wife, Melanie, to utter the words “Please save him, we have a special needs child, she can’t make it without him, they’re very close and I can’t do this alone!” This desperate plea unlocked the doors of death, even though her husband had flatlined and cardiac resuscitation had failed. This cry for help was heard by the on-call doctor who pressed forward against the odds with fierce determination until a slight pulse was obtained.

So, Rob survived, no not just survived, Rob came out of that experience more whole than he was before he ever got sick, but why? Does Rob have a special message for the rest of us? He certainly does and one that is multifaceted. Looking back, faithful family and friends, a family pastor, dedicated doctors, helpful hospital staff, an encouraging employer and even sympathetic strangers all became part of the fabric of Rob’s life experiences.

Not only was Rob given a new lease on life, but he was also given a new heart: symbolically, emotionally, spiritually, and on June 6, 2016 physically. You will read about intriguing experiences (not just physical ones) that come with possessing someone else’s heart.

While there were many treasures that Rob brought back from his NDE, one was a true understanding of his daughter with special needs, Maria, and the pure love that resides in her. Quarks of Light serves up a deeper appreciation of life and how we are all connected.

Jean-Ronel Corbier, MD
Pediatric Neurologist
CEO and Founder of the Brain Restoration Clinic