Near death experiences spur new chapter for Tiphanie Smith-Mclynch
Published:Friday | January 26, 2024 | 12:05 AMKrysta Anderson/Staff Reporter
Self-care specialist Tiphanie Smith-Mclynch has always prided herself on filling her cup and pouring into others. When she found herself walking side by side with death twice, this wife, mother and entrepreneur decided to embark upon a new chapter and share her story.
“I encountered my first experience with death in 2010... . I had a ruptured ectopic pregnancy. That led to my cardiac arrest,” Smith-Mclynch told The Sunday Gleaner.
Nine years later, on her journey to work, she heard a voice of reason putting in a strange request. “I heard that small still voice saying that I need to write a book and even gave me the name, Blue Hands, A Walk With Death Awakens Purpose. The answer came straight from the creator himself, I kid you not,” she revealed.
With divine intervention at play, the creative continued on her path, jotting down what she could in the silence of the starry nights.
If facing a cardiac arrest weren’t scary enough, she unfortunately found herself knocking on death’s door once again. Only this time, both hers and the life of her unborn daughter were at stake.
“In 2020, I went to my final appointment with the gynaecologist, where she found out that my water broke and the baby had passed [her] stool. That meant the baby was possibly in distress. So she immediately sent me to have an emergency C-section.”
After successfully crossing that hurdle and bringing her baby girl into the world, this brave mommy went on to bleed internally for over a year.
“I was in constant pain. I waited and waited and waited. I went to so many doctors and I did too many hospital procedures, spending over a million dollars in medical expenses that year alone.”
She found out much later that something had gone wrong during the surgery, which was responsible for the absence of her monthly cycle. “Every night I went to my bed not knowing if this was going to be my last night,” she said as she fought back tears, adding, “Imagine not knowing if it’s ever going to be your last night. The internal bleeding could have led to my becoming septic. I could have died.”
The course of action that followed included a hysterectomy. This big decision wasn’t one that Smith-Mclynch took lightly.
“That was the hardest part for me. It’s not as if I was ready to give this away. And it’s different when you plan to not have more children. But when it’s taken away from you, it hits differently,” she highlighted.
These life-changing experiences inspired her to make that commitment to God and to paper, and write her very own book.
“I really wanted to write a book that would help and inspire persons who probably are going through similar things or have experienced trauma of this nature that has carried them to the lowest valley of their lives,” Smith-Mclynch said.
She went on to add that one of the beautiful things about writing the book is that it has actually helped her to heal, “The creative process was very therapeutic.”
This area of expertise was very much uncharted territory. “I have never walked a journey like this before. However, what I did was a lot of research to find out how persons do this.”
Five years in the making, Smith-Mclynch stepped out of her element, admitting that she would go long periods of six months or more without writing in some instances and stay up all night on other occasions to complete the book.
Karina from Eva Michelle and Family Publishing assisted the new author to self-publish on Instagram. And her brother, Donte Smith, was responsible for the artwork in the sketch and the photo on the cover of the book.
A firm believer of nothing happening before its time, she released the book on her birthday in December of last year, dedicating the memoir to her living and supportive grandmother. She was pleasantly surprised by the support received.
“Giving myself a gift from me, I released the book on my birthday, which is also Boxing Day, December 26. I had initially purchased 50 copies to be on the safe side. But the moment I launched the book on my social media platforms. I got so many orders. I almost sold out on my birthday and I didn’t carry any non-purchased books into the new year,” she shared enthusiastically.
With island-wide book signing already scheduled for next month, the entrepreneur is hoping that this platform will propel her into pursuing another dream of hers: motivational speaking.
“My business, JTM Holistic Care, looks at the mind, body and soul. Self Care at Tiphanie’s deals with skin care, hair care and aromatherapy. The book really falls into place. And so too will my motivational speaking career. This is something I’ve wanted to do growing up,” she added.
Smith-Mclynch hopes that her book will inspire people to find their strength and resilience.
“I hope this book really inspires persons to find their inner David; that’s the part of resilience. Every day comes with its challenges, and Goliaths are all around us every single day. It’s when you find David, then you can sling that shot and find your purpose,” the author said.
The remedy at the lowest moment, she shared, is to keep going. And for those looking to write about their experiences, Smith-Mclynch advises you to just start, “We all have our stories. Everyone is not going to be a writer. So, if you have a book inside of you, just start. Wherever you are, start there and let the pen guide you.”