Dear Yaks,
You have come this far, it is just a little bit longer.
Don't hold your breath but the approx timelines based on all my research will be as follows:
Documents updated - Day Zero
Letter to go do your medical - 3 to 4 months from Day Zero
Letter from Embassy asking for your passport - One month after above is clear
Return of passport with visa stamped - 1 to 2 months thereafter
Thus, assuming your updated documents are in order, it will be around December or Jan 2009 when you will be cleared to go.
Seems far away but what the heck, you waited 5 years, what is another 6 months, they will fly.
So spend your time reading up about the country, learn french if possible and start putting your finances in order.
See you on the other side of the line soon, we are but one month ahead of you in the queue.
cheers,
hardrock