Since its 2005 debut, Grey's Anatomy has been nothing short of an emotional rollercoaster. The show — which follows the ups and downs of a group of Seattle surgeons — was recently renewed for an impressive 19th season. For nearly two decades, fans have laughed, cried, and shared the heartache of watching their favorite characters fly through the wringer.RELATED:'Grey's Anatomy': 16 Essential Episodes to Celebrate the Show's 16th AnniversaryOf all the doctors on the popular medical drama, no one has had it worse than Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo). Meredith is almost always at the forefront of the drama. From growing up with an emotionally distant mother to losing her husband, trauma has been crucial in Meredith's story. It's hard to pinpoint the greatest hardship she has dealt with, but she comes out stronger than ever with everyone.

Almost Losing Her License (Season 16)

Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey Season 16

When a desperate father is unable to afford treatment for his sick daughter, Meredith plays with fire and commits insurance fraud. The action comes with drastic consequences of her right to practice on the line.

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There wouldn’t be much of a show Meredith lost her license, so in the grand scheme of things, this isn't a huge deal. Not to say that it isn't without its challenges; look at how many friends she had willing to take the fall for her, DeLuca (Giacomo Gianniotti) is even ready to go to jail! If Meredith went down, so would Grey Sloan.

Popping a Glove (Season 1)

Grey’s Anatomy Season 1 Episode 5

Believe it or not, Meredith was once a naive, fresh-faced intern catching sleep wherever she could find it. No, seriously, she dozes off in the OR and punctures a patient’s new heart with her fingernail.

As it turns out, Meredith isn't completely at fault in this instance because the patient’s heart muscles were already decaying. This could have cost Meredith her entire career, especially at such an early stage, and is the first of many scandals that she finds herself involved with.

Becoming the Other Woman (Season 2)

Ellen Pompeo, Patrick Dempsey and Kate Walsh in Grey’s Anatomy Season 2

Meredith’s entire world crumbles around her when Addison (Kate Walsh) arrives at the hospital. During a torrid love affair with Derek (Patrick Dempsey), Meredith falls hard and fast for McDreamy.

Addison’s introduction leads to the show’s original love triangle. It isn’t all bad though. This arc enables some of Meredith’s most iconic lines, including the “pick me” speech in an attempt to win Derek back. However, instead of battling for his affection, the pair unceremoniously call out his sexist hypocrisy — which pits the women at odds with each other.

Losing Custody of Zola (Season 8)

Patrick Dempsey and Ellen Pompeo in Grey’s Anatomy Season 8

Both Derek and Meredith are immediately smitten with baby Zola when she comes to the hospital in Season 8. It isn’t long before the two are signing adoption papers, ready to start their family.

The other shoe finally drops when Zola is abruptly removed from their custody. They do get Zola back but not without some hardships. Meredith’s relationship with Alex (Justin Chambers) and Bailey (Chandra Wilson) suffers setbacks; her reputation as a surgeon dwindles, and Derek’s breakthrough Alzheimer’s trial is nullified.

Assaulted by a Patient (Season 12)

James Pickens Jr and Ellen Pompeo in Grey’s Anatomy Season 12

When a patient has a seizure in the ER, Meredith is left alone to treat him and is brutally beaten when he wakes. The attack leaves her with severe trauma and in need of desperate medical attention.

Temporarily deaf with her jaw wired shut, the general surgeon requires multiple surgeries and communication became a major challenge in her recovery. As if this isn't already hard enough to watch, even her children can barely stand to be near her, frightened by the injured appearance of their mother.

Drowning (Season 3)

Ellen-Pompeo-and-Patrick-Dempsey-in-Grey’s-Anatomy-Season-3-1

With multiple near-death encounters under her belt, drowning contends for the top spot. Meredith has an out-of-body experience where she reunites with ghosts of her past.

Content in the afterlife, Denny (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) gives Meredith the wake-up call she needs to revaluate her recent actions. To make matters worse, her mother, Ellis (Kate Burton), is also at death’s door as Derek works to revive her. She and her daughter cross paths in limbo, reconciling their relationship before Meredith is resuscitated.

Getting COVID (Season 17)

Ellen Pompeo in Grey’s Anatomy Season 17

If anyone was going to catch COVID, it’d be Meredith Grey — who spent most of season 18 fighting for her life in a coma while visiting a purgatory beach.

With the deaths on the rise, the chances of Meredith pulling through look less and less likely by the second. It seems this could be the end. Never one to admit defeat, Meredith eventually recovers and returns home to her kids.

Losing Derek (Season 11)

Derek Death Grey's Anatomy

No one was prepared to say goodbye to Derek Shepherd let alone his wife. Before his death, he and Meredith face one of their toughest challenges yet, creating a burst of unresolved marital problems.

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Just when everything starts to look hopeful, Derek is killed in a car accident and Meredith makes the heartbreaking decision to switch his life support off. The accident takes its toll on all the characters, but Meredith takes it the hardest as a widow and single mother — to their unborn (and third) child no less.

The Shooting (Season 6)

Gary Clark in Grey’s Anatomy Season 6

Gary Clark’s (Michael O’Neill) murder spree traumatizes the entire team, but Meredith is at the heart of it all; Clark is on a mission to take out Lexie (Chyler Leigh), Richard (James Pickens Jr.), and Derek — all of whom are closely aligned with the leading lady.

Not only does she have to watch her beloved Derek take a bullet, but the stress of the situation also induces a miscarriage. Meredith comes close to losing everything dear to her. She is powerless at the moment before selflessly offering her own life in return for her family’s safety.

Plane Crash (Season 8)

Sandra Oh, Ellen Pompeo and Patrick Dempsey in in Grey’s Anatomy Season 8

Arguably the worst thing to ever happen on Grey’s Anatomy is the ill-fated flight. What are the odds that the one aircraft carrying America’s greatest surgeons crashes in the middle of nowhere?

While Meredith comes out with a few cuts and bruises, she is met with the death of her younger sister, Lexie. It’s the one event that appears to have stuck with Meredith and the other survivors. The show often reflects on their PTSD of the incident, highlighting how the show's trajectory changed.

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