Sputum Test

[B_J 2,752]

Well, we just had our medical and now we get the two month delay for the sputum test. I know a lot of others have had this same thing happen to them and now we're joining the club. By the way, does our club have a secret handshake?

Oh well, nothing we can do except keep on keeping on.

[jameugiekaxavilon 25]

I wish for a negative result of the sputum test, so you can move to your interview appointment!!

[marklovetina 52]

sorry about the delay...

best of luck!!!

[PhilAmTx 14]

sis what happened?im just curious kc medical ko na next week, do you have cough that time?or do you have history of tb? i am so sorry about it,but i hope and pray its negative... best of luck

[TeddyHoney 42]

We feel ya! Ours is even worse cuz my fiancee already had started medication back in March and we knew they would find the scars even though we are quite sure she didn't/doesn't have active ptb. So when she had medical the day after I left there on May 23/24 and she told the Pulomonologist she was already on the medication for almost 3 months, they advised her to complete the remaining 3 months at SLEC and then do sputum culture. Made us feel (almost) that she shouldn't have started the medication cuz then maybe she would just do sputum culture. But we decided that since she was under a Doctors instructions that it was best that she started the medication when he advised and its good SLEC accepted her 3 months treatment already with certification from her local physician. Better to be safe than sorry even if it costs some time cuz its her health we are talking about and also better to completely eradicate it from her body now than chance it to come up later in her life. When she does her sputum culture she is sure to have negative results, the SLEC pulmonologist even said so.

God bless in your fiancee's culture test that it will be negative! As I said, we (Ritchie and me) feel ya!

[B_J 2,752]

Thanks for the support everyone.

sis what happened?im just curious kc medical ko na next week, do you have cough that time?or do you have history of tb? i am so sorry about it,but i hope and pray its negative... best of luck

This is Benny. I don't know all the details, I just got the phone call from her telling me about the test. I'll try to get her to post more info when she gets back home.

[TeddyHoney 42]

Thanks for the support everyone.

This is Benny. I don't know all the details, I just got the phone call from her telling me about the test. I'll try to get her to post more info when she gets back home.

This may help. Based on our experience and posts her on VJ, SLEC most likely saw scar or something suspicious on her lung from her Chest X-ray. They either have or will schedule her for 3 day sputum for AFB(Acid Fast Bscteria) test and then 4th day she will see a Pulmonologist who will do some explaining. I believe its her 3rd sputum sample that will be used for the Culture test. I believe they will give her a date and phone number she can call to check her results.

Most Filipinos have been exposed to ptb even they may not have the active disease, thus the scars that show in the Chest X-rays of those who have absolutely no symptoms. They do 3 day sputum for AFB to try to determine if there is active disease and then culture test to confirm either way. This is for all applicants that have medical exam at SLEC for VISA petitions, if the Chest X-ray shows anything suspicious - according to SLEC.

OP's fiancee probably had no symptoms at all but still had something show up in the X-ray.

Hope this helps a little.

Again, we pray for OP and his fiancee the negative result of the culture test!

[B_J 2,752]

This may help. Based on our experience and posts her on VJ, SLEC most likely saw scar or something suspicious on her lung from her Chest X-ray. They either have or will schedule her for 3 day sputum for AFB(Acid Fast Bscteria) test and then 4th day she will see a Pulmonologist who will do some explaining. I believe its her 3rd sputum sample that will be used for the Culture test. I believe they will give her a date and phone number she can call to check her results.

Most Filipinos have been exposed to ptb even they may not have the active disease, thus the scars that show in the Chest X-rays of those who have absolutely no symptoms. They do 3 day sputum for AFB to try to determine if there is active disease and then culture test to confirm either way. This is for all applicants that have medical exam at SLEC for VISA petitions, if the Chest X-ray shows anything suspicious - according to SLEC.

OP's fiancee probably had no symptoms at all but still had something show up in the X-ray.

Hope this helps a little.

Again, we pray for OP and his fiancee the negative result of the culture test!

Thanks for the info. I believe she's scheduled to go back on the 27th for the 3 day procedure. Your post really helps because I really don't know anything about this.

The real disappointing part for me is that now she'll be getting here when I go back to work, not while I'm on vacation, so this will make the adjustment more difficult. She'll have so many days now of just sitting at home while I'm at work, I just really feel bad about that part. But, there's really nothing that can be done except make the most of the situation.

[uklover 1]

Ok. I read this and I am confused and hoping for some clarification. This sputum test....what is it? I looked it up and it is something they require from the fiance after they go to the medical BECAUSE they found something in their lungs on the x-ray?

I ask because my fiance has had issues with his lungs etc, and he knows there will be something that shows up on the chest x-ray...so in preparation for this he has got documentation from his GP about why this abnormality is ok and nothing to be concerned about.

But this sputum thing has got me worried. My fiance's medical is this Friday.

thank you!

[Tahoma 2,292]

Hi Benny...

Sorry to hear about the delay in your visa journey. But please don't worry about the TB part of it. You're fiancée should be fine.

I checked the Center of Disease Control and Prevention's website and discovered that far less than one percent of the people at St. Lukes who undergo the smear tests and the eight-week culture actually turn out to have TB. St. Lukes seems to err on the side of caution...when they see anything whatsoever in the chest x-ray, they automatically order the smear tests and the eight-week culture.

Hang in there...even though the waiting is h*ll...

[len ben 12]

So sorry to hear bout this coz we know it will cause an 8 week delay. I'll include you in my prayers. I am also anxious about finding out the results of my medical tomorrow. Just hang in there, God be with us.

[TeddyHoney 42]

Thanks for the info. I believe she's scheduled to go back on the 27th for the 3 day procedure. Your post really helps because I really don't know anything about this.

The real disappointing part for me is that now she'll be getting here when I go back to work, not while I'm on vacation, so this will make the adjustment more difficult. She'll have so many days now of just sitting at home while I'm at work, I just really feel bad about that part. But, there's really nothing that can be done except make the most of the situation.

Off your original topic but with regards to your fiancee being home alone when she gets to the States. I'm wondering if you have looked into whether or not your community or surrounding communities have any Filipino population? I don't know where you are from but i am near the Cleveland, Ohio area, actually in one of the nearby suburbs. When my first filipina wife first got here some years ago, she started making Filipina friends almost immediately as we were out grocery shopping or at the malls or almost anywhere. I had been living in this area for over 10 years at the time and had not noticed a Filipino population (probably becasue i was not looking for it!) but they seemed to be everywhere once I started going around with my wife to places I had been frequenting all along except for the church (I converted from Baptist to Catholic after we married so our kids would grow up Catholic), so I had never been in nearby Catholic church before but there were quite a few Filipino families there, and also other places. Seemed everywhere we went she would meet at least one other Filipina and they would exchange phone numbers (this was back when e-mails and cell phones were not as popular as they are now) and next thing I knew they were inviting us to have dinner with them and them with us, etc and by the end of her first year here we had quite a circle of Filino friends of all ages. That was in her first year! It made it so much easier for her adjustment and also my family had accepted her before she came here and my mom would come and get her and be with her at our house and things like that helped also. My duaghter's Godfather is a Filipino we met during my ex's first year here.

Cleveland is not known, as far as I know for having a huge Filipino population, or at least not like San Diego or LA. But there are enough here so it doesn't take a whole lot to make a decent sized Filipino community cuz they all seem to know each other and all get along with each other and everyone else. Seems they can sense a new Filipino in the area and come out to greet (haha!)

Maybe you have already looked into this but if not might I suggest you local and surrounding Catholic churches and also if you have Asian supermarkets in your area or if you know of any (we have several in Cleveland Area) in surrounding Areas you can take her there to shop for the foods she likes and she will meet other Filipios there too and look up Filipino Cultural events on the internet for your Area cuz they will celebrate all thier traditional holidays and ceremonies and you can attend them at your leisure.

Even though my ex and I are divorced and seperated now for several years I still maintain contact with many of our Filipino friends and since my ex has moved out of state our old friends are eager to meet and help my fiancee to adjust and so is my mother and sisters and other family members.

I just offer these in case you have not anticipated any of this and what may be already available in your area because you mentioned that because of the sputum culture delay you will already be back at work by the time your fiancee gets here and she will be home alone a lot. Yes she will have to be sometimes but maybe not as much as you think depending on where you live and what Filipino population and cultural events are available there.

Hope this helps as I am not trying to tell you what to do or pry or anything, just I know what its like when your filipina bride is new here.

God bless!

[~happyndinlove~ 540]

Well, we just had our medical and now we get the two month delay for the sputum test. I know a lot of others have had this same thing happen to them and now we're joining the club. By the way, does our club have a secret handshake?

Oh well, nothing we can do except keep on keeping on.

You better check your tone of voice or you're apt to get a verbal reprimand from someone.

Been there done that. We know it sucks to get so near the finish line and then be told you have to wait another 8+ weeks.

No secret handshake but there is a St. Lukes wave. It's easy to learn. 1st. bend elbows and raise your hands in front of you until level with shoulders 2nd..rotate wrists until back of each hand is facing St. Lukes.. 3rd..close each hand into a fist ...4th ..extend middle fingers ...5th...maintain position until you feel better...6th...repeat as needed.

Hang in there BJ. When it's all over and you two are finally together...the pain will be forgotten quickly.

[B_J 2,752]

You better check your tone of voice or you're apt to get a verbal reprimand from someone.

Been there done that. We know it sucks to get so near the finish line and then be told you have to wait another 8+ weeks.

No secret handshake but there is a St. Lukes wave. It's easy to learn. 1st. bend elbows and raise your hands in front of you until level with shoulders 2nd..rotate wrists until back of each hand is facing St. Lukes.. 3rd..close each hand into a fist ...4th ..extend middle fingers ...5th...maintain position until you feel better...6th...repeat as needed.

Hang in there BJ. When it's all over and you two are finally together...the pain will be forgotten quickly.

That was a great post. And thanks for teaching me the St. Lukes wave. It might come in handy.

It does suck, but like you said, it will be forgotten once she's here.

Thanks.

[B_J 2,752]

Off your original topic but with regards to your fiancee being home alone when she gets to the States. I'm wondering if you have looked into whether or not your community or surrounding communities have any Filipino population? I don't know where you are from but i am near the Cleveland, Ohio area, actually in one of the nearby suburbs. When my first filipina wife first got here some years ago, she started making Filipina friends almost immediately as we were out grocery shopping or at the malls or almost anywhere. I had been living in this area for over 10 years at the time and had not noticed a Filipino population (probably becasue i was not looking for it!) but they seemed to be everywhere once I started going around with my wife to places I had been frequenting all along except for the church (I converted from Baptist to Catholic after we married so our kids would grow up Catholic), so I had never been in nearby Catholic church before but there were quite a few Filipino families there, and also other places. Seemed everywhere we went she would meet at least one other Filipina and they would exchange phone numbers (this was back when e-mails and cell phones were not as popular as they are now) and next thing I knew they were inviting us to have dinner with them and them with us, etc and by the end of her first year here we had quite a circle of Filino friends of all ages. That was in her first year! It made it so much easier for her adjustment and also my family had accepted her before she came here and my mom would come and get her and be with her at our house and things like that helped also. My duaghter's Godfather is a Filipino we met during my ex's first year here.

Cleveland is not known, as far as I know for having a huge Filipino population, or at least not like San Diego or LA. But there are enough here so it doesn't take a whole lot to make a decent sized Filipino community cuz they all seem to know each other and all get along with each other and everyone else. Seems they can sense a new Filipino in the area and come out to greet (haha!)

Maybe you have already looked into this but if not might I suggest you local and surrounding Catholic churches and also if you have Asian supermarkets in your area or if you know of any (we have several in Cleveland Area) in surrounding Areas you can take her there to shop for the foods she likes and she will meet other Filipios there too and look up Filipino Cultural events on the internet for your Area cuz they will celebrate all thier traditional holidays and ceremonies and you can attend them at your leisure.

Even though my ex and I are divorced and seperated now for several years I still maintain contact with many of our Filipino friends and since my ex has moved out of state our old friends are eager to meet and help my fiancee to adjust and so is my mother and sisters and other family members.

I just offer these in case you have not anticipated any of this and what may be already available in your area because you mentioned that because of the sputum culture delay you will already be back at work by the time your fiancee gets here and she will be home alone a lot. Yes she will have to be sometimes but maybe not as much as you think depending on where you live and what Filipino population and cultural events are available there.

Hope this helps as I am not trying to tell you what to do or pry or anything, just I know what its like when your filipina bride is new here.

God bless!

There's some really good advice there. I know we don't have much of a Filipino community here, but I checked online and there are a few restaurants and stores. If nothing else, it's a starting point for her meeting people.

Thanks.