Although Marie Curie Nurses do work shifts during the day, the majority tend to work through the night, giving nursing care to the patient and the chance for family and friends to take some much-needed rest.
Pauline Dodsworth is one of our nurses who regularly works a nine-hour night shift. Here she talks about one of her shifts:
"I arrive at David and Jane's house mid-evening. David's a 64-year-old retired teacher and has had cancer for two years. I've been nursing him for three months now - until last week we watched a lot of late-night television and discussed books and life.
"Now he is very weak. His breathing is irregular and he is drifting in and out of consciousness. Although he's dying, he's not in any pain - he has been receiving a regular supply of morphine from a syringe driver for the last few weeks.
"Jane, Michael, and their son, sit in the room with David until he goes to sleep. I promise to call them if there's any change in his condition. They're both very tired with the strain of looking after him.
"David sleeps fitfully until five, when his breathing becomes more uneven. I wake the other two, and the three of us sit with him until the end. Then I leave them with him and go to call his GP.
"I stay until the doctor has left, leaving when I'm sure Michael and Jane are all right. She's ringing around family and friends and making funeral arrangements. On my way out she thanks me and asks me whether I'll be at the funeral.
"I say of course I will. I attend patients' funerals - I find it helps me and the families are glad to see me. As I drive home I think about David, his life and the family he left behind.
"It's a very hard time, but I know the three of them talked and prepared themselves for David's death. He was determined to help them face the future with hope. They're strong people and they'll cope."
