French medical care usually compares favourably with the NHS but recent experience has been rather frustrating.

For some time Whale has been complaining about his back pain and has seen various specialists at the hospital who haven't been able to pinpoint the cause.

Finally, our GP sent him to see the rheumatologist (pain doctor) to see if he could, at least, sort out the cocktail of tablets prescribed by different departments.

Since his latest fall his pain has been worse. We explained that to Dr. Champagne but he just looked at a selection of previous x-rays and decided that Whale should see an oncologist and contimue taking all the tablets.

Hence, this week we have had two trips to the Polyclinique which turned out to be a waste of time - except that the cancer specialist had the sense to send him for an x-ray and thereby discovered that he has a squashed vertebra. This means that he has to go back to Dr. Champagne for an injection of something like cortisone and also some treatment for lack of calcium.

So, thanks to the said Dr. C we have had to arrange ambulances and spend two afternoons at the Polyclinique unnecessarily. Especially since this week Whale already had an appointment for his change of catheter (at the main hospital), CC had a dental visit and Bear went to see our GP for his monthly prescriptions. (With muggins me going along as interpreter every time).

Thankfully the ambulance people were prompt in picking us up yesterday because I needed to be back for the man to service the boiler.

It's been quite a hectic week.