Talk about multi-tasking...so many things to do... which to do first...patients' lives in the balance. You go in one room and things are happy. The patient is doing well and on the mend. There is laughter and idle chatter. Life is good. You banter with the family. You were there when there was a crisis but now it is OK. You leave the room. You have other priorities.

You take no more than 15 steps and enter the next room to find a totally different scenario. There is a sadness, a feeling of loss as the patient is taking his last breaths. Agonal respirations it is called. There is a morphine drip to keep the patient comfortable. The family sits at the bedside holding the patient's hand. The oxygen hisses, now and again you hear a sniffle, a stifled cry, and the very slow rhythmic final breaths of a life ending. DNR... do not resuscitate. This was the patient's wishes. And you wait with the family. They look to you to understand what is happening. Most have never been this close to a dying person. At this difficult time, they probably contemplate their own mortality. It is hard to let go. Remember the good times. Cherish those you love. Vow to tell those you love what they mean to you. Forgive those who have done you wrong. Life is short. This is the final goodbye... and then there is silence. It is over. A unique life has come to an end. Tears and cries of sadness. You give them a hug. Let them know you are there for them. That's all you can do. There are no words adequate at a time like this. Always remember. Everyone wants to be remembered...