Today was the first time I saw Grey's Anatomy. Or rather, part of it. One scene had that Asian chick-doctor coding someone despite the patient being a DNR (Do-Not-Resuscitate). And in the end, she had to call it.

For some reason, that brought back a flood of memories.

Which of us doctors did not have to go through it? Pronouncing the patient. Or specifically, calling the time of death? I must have done that over 20 times in the last 3 years.

You ask the family for a moment of privacy with the patient. Auscultate the heart. Feel the pulse. Test for brainstem reflexes. Stick a piece of Kleenex into the patient's eye for corneal reflex. Flash a light. Turn the head.

And then you look at your watch. You say almost ceremoniously to no one:

"Time of death: 1:12am"

And you mutter a quick prayer for the departed that they may find peace, and go out to comfort distraught family.

Which one of us did not have to go through this?