It's been a long time coming...

[BranAllecx 0]

As I've promised myself (hopefully for the benefit of anyone concern) that I'll be posting the "chronicles" of my Daily Observed Treatment (DOT) at St. Lukes (SLMCEC):

May 13, 2008 - My First Day of Medical Examination: Went there around 10AM got done with all the test around 3PM was told to come back the next day

for my immunization and result.

May 14, 2008 - Second Day at SLMEC: Was told to go to 4th floor (2nd floor is where the good news are), that was then I was told about the most devastating news of all; my interview

schedule will have to be postponed for they found "something suspicious" in my chest x-ray... I must say, I was one of those who

was re-educated from then on. I realized I knew nothing...

May 21, 22, 23, 2008 - 3 Day Smear collection: This is use to test your smear and sputum for + TB bacteria. You will have to go there from 6-8AM;

first-come-first-serve with assigned numbers.

Other than you coughing it all out to the satisfaction of the attending med techs, there's no easy way out but to follow as instructed.

This is just part of the horrible experience I have to go through but one can brave it all out; a squeamish one like me will be sick to

their stomach but then again you do what you gotta do.

On the 3rd day you will be told to come back for your pulmonary evaluation (judgment day)

May 27, 2008 - Pulmonary Evaluation (my supposed to be interview day, how ironic!); Here a doctor assigned will be explaining to you everything:

* Either you will have to start DOT right away because your smear came out positive for TB (I believe this classified as Class A, I can't be

technically correct about this, but somehow I'm just glad I am that I can start treatment and won't have to waste a couple of

weeks or months of treatment. Time is of an essence in this kind of situation

* If smear came out negative, you have to wait for 2 months for sputum culture result (SOP) and will be called on or days after the

given due/result date. (Note: If you will be called earlier than the given due/result date it simply means your sputum culture is

positive then you have to undergo DOT, classified as Class B.)

* Or the both your smear and sputum culture are negative then you can proceed with having the rest get everything done after

2 months delay

June 2, 2008 - First Day under DOT: I could have started May 27, 2008 right away but due to the fact I'm not from Manila, I'd have to finalize my

living arrangement here before they will allow me to start the treatment. My quick thinking didn't come into play I wasted 6 days

of supposed to be treatment L-)

It really (excuse my french lol) SUCKS especially when you have to practically leave everything behind: family, friends, work,

life, EVERYTHING!! All you have to do is go St. Luke's Monday to Friday take the medicine in the DOT room in the presence of the

nurses assign have your treatment card signed. Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays you get to bring home the medicines. Such

simple, boring, taxing task but you don't have much of a choice, since your fate is in other people's hands. It's simply their way

or the highway... Though the treatment is "FREE" but for people like me who are not from Manila it will leave a HUGE HOLE IN YOUR

POCKET! VERY COSTLY

You can choose what time will you prefer go to the clinic: I'm in the afternoon schedulde, I go there late where I won't have to wait

for my turn; I'd just go there, get everything done in minutes then leave;). You will meet new friends along the way who can be of

help because you are on the same page and can relate to you. There will be an orientation anyway that you'll have an overview of

what to expect.

Good luck! At your weakest you will find your strength;)

June 25 & 26, 2008 - 1st of the 3 sputum collection that you'll have to go through for the rest of the regular 6 months treatment. Then there will

be a pulmonary evaluation with the doctor scheduled day after the last day of collection. SMEAR RESULT: NEGATIVE!

It is very important that you won't develop or won't have any allergic reactions or resistance to the prescribe medicines as this will greatly affect the length of your treatment aside from results from later tests.

July 28 & 29, 2008 - 2nd of 3 sputum collection: SMEAR RESULT: NEGATIVE!

August 2, 2008 - MAINTENANCE PHASE: 2 months in treatment.

August 22, 2008 - 1st SPUTUM CULTURE RESULT: NEGATIVE! Note: You ask the nurses for you culture result, sometimes it will take awhile for

them to tell you(or just simply lazy to check. Remember, they are not there to be your friends and they don't act like one. So it's to

no avail if you try to kiss their asses...I wouldn't. Yuck!...lol). Sputum Culture results are definitive basis of your progress.

September 2, 2008 - Follow up chest x-ray: After which is another pulmonary evaluation. Note: Try to make sure you have your x-ray result the

next day by asking your rad tech, that you can have your pulmonary evaluation too. Like what I said time is of an essence. This

piece of information will be beneficial by the end of your treatment.

October 3, 2008 - 2nd SPUTUM CULTURE RESULT: NEGATIVE!

November 10 & 11, 2008 - 3rd (Last) Sputum Culture Collection: SMEAR RESULT: NEGATIVE! This result will be included/use in your Repeat

Medical report.

December 2, 2008 - LAST DAY OF TREATMENT! Last Chest X-ray ( REGRESSION IN THE IMPRESSIONS). Talked to the rad tech to get have my

result the next day the same as my previous x-ray. This result will also be included/use in your Repeat Medical report.

December 3, 2008 - LAST PULMONARY EVALUATION: This was made possible because my result was released the the following day the same as

my September x-ray and didn't have to wait a call from the clinic (God knows when and how long) for a schedule. Sputum Culture

Result Date: January 6, 2009

January 9, 2009 - Call from St. Luke's: SPUTUM CULTURE RESULT: NEGATIVE! OK for Repeat Medical. But I called on January 8, 2009 and knew

the result early on.

January 12, 2009 - REPEAT MEDICAL. Note: Be there before 8:30 AM. Do not take the risk of being given a stupid excuse "that your doctor is not

available and you have to come back on a later date to finish the physical". This will only prolong the process as you have to wait for

their call (again) to have your immunization done.

January 23, 2009 - IMMUNIZATION & MEDICAL RESULT RELEASED (FINALLY!) Unfortunately they can have an inconsistent system and they can

make (stupid) excuses to just to delay things and make you wait for more. I'll spare you the detail.

Given Interview Date: February 18, 2009 (the earliest available according to St.. Lukes)

January 29, 2009 - Interview Day! ( Called USEm Call Center for an available earlier date). Need I say I told you so!

I must say it wasn't an easy journey, it made me see my life in another perspective and a lot of lessons learned. It was a total re-education on my part and a humbling experience at that. I hope in some way this will be helpful to those who are just starting their journey. DON'T TAKE YOUR HEALTH FOR GRANTED. I can only hope though that NO ONE will ever have to go through what I and some people have gone through.

Despite all, I feel so blessed that I'm surrounded by people who loves me and kept me strong and strangers that I befriended along the way. Special shout to BRANDON (yay LUFU!), My Mama, Loving Family, Friends (Hab-hab forever) and my VJ friends who never fail to ask "KUMUSTA NA?": Julie, Riza, Gay and Yeth and My sincere "classmates" in treatment;)

THANK YOU ALL and GOD BLESS!

This long nightmare that I've thankfully awaken from has to end here, since from here on its SWEET DREAMS FOREVER! And that's another story...

[Jasman0717 9]

Wow, you have been through hell. I commend you on your intestional fortitude. Congratulations

[YuAndDan 153]

Moving to consulate/embassy forum.

[BranAllecx 0]

Lol...Thanks! Been to hell and back

Wow, you have been through hell. I commend you on your intestional fortitude. Congratulations

[MabuhayJimmy 3]

Thanks for the post, it's an inspiration.

My fiancee's been in treatment since August, and will complete it by End of January 2010.

She gets her first culture results later this week, the smear was negative.

Looks like they did not require another sputum as part of the re-administered medical. What a relief. I'm hoping for the same thing.

Congrats, I hope all is well now!