andrewducker | I never thought the phrase "complete cytogenic response" would sound so good

The cause of Julie's cancer is Philadelphia Chromosome - where parts of two chromosomes swap places. This defect then speeds up cell division while inhibiting DNA repair, causing genetic instability. Sadly, the results are rarely mutant powers.

They carried out two tests a few weeks ago - one for cancer levels and one for Philadelphia Chromosome levels. They managed to cock them up and had to take another four vials of blood last week. An hour ago we heard that Julie has achieved complete cytogenic response - basically that they cannot find _any_ signs of the faulty chromosomes.

This does not mean that she is cancer free - the likelihood is that there will be more months of waiting while the drugs mop up the remaining cancer levels. But it is a massive landmark on the way - from this point on it should be a tidying-up operation.

I'm cautious, but very happy about this. Not quite letting myself feel it yet (not helped by being in work at 7:30 this morning and so having No Brain). But still, yay!