Randomisation results

Today, Catherine was randomised. This means that her treatment was decided randomly: the options were either one or two blocks of intensive chemotherapy. It was confirmed again today that Catherine has a low risk of relapse, as her MRD results were negative. This is great news and meant that she was able to be randomised.

She will only have one block of intense chemotherapy - the one we are currently experiencing. The Consultant was extremely pleased for Catherine and said she was 'fortunate' to only have one dose of intensive chemotherapy.

This means that, hopefully, we will be over the worst of the treatment by March. If all goes completely to plan, we will stop her intensive treatment just before we are given the 'brown envelope' on February 5th (a few of you will know what this means, although it has nothing to do with her treatment!!!).

At the beginning, when we had only known about Catherine's diagnosis for two months, both Mark and I felt strongly that Catherine would be low risk and have only one intensive block of chemotherapy. This is the case.

The current trial into ALL is looking to stop children from being overtreated with chemotherapy. Studies suggest that those who are doing well on treatment only need one intensive block of chemotherapy. Too much chemotherapy can cause greater risk of side effects. Too little chemotherapy can cause a greater risk of relapse.

Catherine had a good day today and was a very patient patient (!) considering the hospital had a few doctors who were off sick. Catherine is now looking forward to going back to school after the holidays. We still need to be careful, though, as she will become at greater risk of infection over the next couple of weeks, and will receive a very strong dose of a new (to Catherine) chemotherapy drug in a fortnight.

God continues to work amazingly in Catherine's life. Please continue to pray that the treatment remains effective and that leukaemia is a thing of the past for this little girl. We believe your prayers have made this happen. Thankyou.