sputum test...Anyone get xrays prior to St lukes exam to avoid delays

[Tahoma 2,292]

... why not go to SLEC, and request the TB test via them, if you are willing to pay for it anyways?

Good idea, but I'm fairly certain SLEC won't do that. It's my understanding that you need at least a NOA2 to get into SLEC.

If someone seriously wants to get checked out for TB, they could go to St. Luke's Medical Center in Quezon City. They are one of the premier hospitals in the Philippines, so I'm guessing they have very modern x-ray equipment like SLEC does. In addition to the x-ray, they could also collect sputum and perform a smear test as well as a TB culture.

That is something you would want to do at least eight months before you got your NOA2 because the TB culture would take two months and, in the event the culture came up positive for TB, any TB treatment would take a minimum of six months.

The medical was stressful for Chinook and I precisely because of our fear that it could potentially set us back several months in our visa journey. The Embassy interview was relaxing in comparison to the medical.

[Tahoma 2,292]

When do you receive the MNL#? Once its forwarded to the NVC?

Yup...You can get your MNL case number from the NVC after they receive your 129F packet from the USCIS. Don't wait around for their letter or email though. Call them up about a week after you get your NOA2. Once you get your MNL case number, you're rolling.

We will be getting the test done where she lives in Valencia City, at least we will have a little peace of mind and be ahead of the game if anything was to show up.

I think you mean "chest x-ray" instead of "test."

[therese828 4]

You make a very good point about going to St.Luke and getting the test done. I wish she lived in Manila but she does not so her taking time off work and flying alone are two things that don't work for us. I have just been reading all the people who are delayed from this test and it worries both of us that maybe we should be proactive and not wait to find out that she needs treatment. When do you receive the MNL#? Once its forwarded to the NVC? Our timeline indicates that we should be getting our NOA2 in late Sept time frame..if it comes earlier then that is awesome. I would just love for her to be here for Thanksgiving and Christmas.:)We filed June 20, so to be done with this part of the process and have her here in the U.S. in less then 6months is a blessing.

We will be getting the test done where she lives in Valencia City, at least we will have a little peace of mind and be ahead of the game if anything was to show up. I really like your idea of going to Manila.

have to make sure that during the medical test..no CAUGH

[marklovetina 52]

i had mine too.. but even u did that.. it is SLEC's final say...

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

i may say...better first have an xray outside st. lukes just to make sure that nothing gonna have problem when the medical time comes.that's what i did

but when the medical time comes i did not bring my xray result

Did you read the post above yours, quoted below? This person got xray a month before SLEC, it was clear, but SLEC found something, and she is now doing sputum & 2-month wait for culture. Nothing says it's "BETTER" to do an xray before hand, unless it turns up positive, in which case you can start treatment right sooner.

me too, i will start my sputum test on the 26th of this month, and waited for 2 months for the culture test thats why my interview on the 23rd of August was cancelled. I have done an xray one month before i received the notice letter because i have a cough then so i undergo an xray and they found out that my chest was normal. i am confident that my chest xray will be fine but unfortunately, i will be going to have a sputum test.. only SLEC will decide wether you are ok or not

[ManilatoSeattle 6]

Hi,

I called St.Lukes today to see if my results are ready... The person I talked to asked for my name then he looked it up and say PLEASE COME HERE TOMORROW AND BRING YOUR PASSPPORT and receipt. Is this mean I pass the sputum culture? My due is actually July 25 but the last time I was there they said the culture will be finished on July 21 but just to be sure call on July 25. Anyway I got to excited so I called in today. Hopefully it will turn out okay!

[babystef 8]

Hi,

I called St.Lukes today to see if my results are ready... The person I talked to asked for my name then he looked it up and say PLEASE COME HERE TOMORROW AND BRING YOUR PASSPPORT and receipt. Is this mean I pass the sputum culture? My due is actually July 25 but the last time I was there they said the culture will be finished on July 21 but just to be sure call on July 25. Anyway I got to excited so I called in today. Hopefully it will turn out okay!

yeah i thought your test were okey..congrats to you..please keep us updated ok?

[Kevin-n-Merlaine 14]

Having the tests done ahead of time could bite you too. My wife caught a nasty cold about a month prior to her medical so she went to the doctor. She was diagnosed with TB and started on the meds. She was so upset, having come so far in the process, that she nearly decided not to go on with the process. She did go on, went to her medical, kept her mouth shut and passed with flying colors. Come to find out, 2 other members of her family have been misdiagnosed with TB over the years. A LOT of undue stress - I don't recommend it. What St. Lukes says is all that matters. So while it's bigtime stressful to not know ahead of time, It can be worse

[calibob 73]

Hi,

I called St.Lukes today to see if my results are ready... The person I talked to asked for my name then he looked it up and say PLEASE COME HERE TOMORROW AND BRING YOUR PASSPPORT and receipt. Is this mean I pass the sputum culture? My due is actually July 25 but the last time I was there they said the culture will be finished on July 21 but just to be sure call on July 25. Anyway I got to excited so I called in today. Hopefully it will turn out okay!

Yes!!!! You are cleared it looks like. They said the same thing to my wife when she did her test and we called a day early.

Bob

[ManilatoSeattle 6]

Yes!!!! You are cleared it looks like. They said the same thing to my wife when she did her test and we called a day early.

Bob

great! thank you....

[~happyndinlove~ 540]

i may say...better first have an xray outside st. lukes just to make sure that nothing gonna have problem when the medical time comes.that's what i did

Wrong! I had an advanced chest x-ray at one of the good private hospitals in the city prior to my medical at St. Luke's. Everything was great and clear. I was all confident and relaxed. But guess what? We were delayed 2 months because I had to do the sputum.

Having an advanvced medical outside St. Luke's doesn't always mean you are SAFE.

Good for you though that you passed your medical no problem.

[~happyndinlove~ 540]

Hi,

I called St.Lukes today to see if my results are ready... The person I talked to asked for my name then he looked it up and say PLEASE COME HERE TOMORROW AND BRING YOUR PASSPPORT and receipt. Is this mean I pass the sputum culture? My due is actually July 25 but the last time I was there they said the culture will be finished on July 21 but just to be sure call on July 25. Anyway I got to excited so I called in today. Hopefully it will turn out okay!

Your 2 month culture test came back negative.

Congratulations!!!