Feeling Devastated.....Fiancee has to go to sputum tests!!

[kingneptune1 6]

Just looking for shoulders to cry on. Med exam at St. Lukes Monday...everything looks good. She goes back the next day for vaccinations...doctor tells her they saw something on x-ray...she needs to go in for sputum test. We are both feeling so broken, after the loss of her child and now this. I cant understand, she's perfectly healthy, not even a cough. She just had an exam a month and a half ago and her chest x-rays were great. What the hell? Now, no matter what...at least another 8 weeks before we can reschedule the interview. We are both really bummed out. Have been praying so hard for this...to be together...once and for all, for Christmas. So discouraging. So many come to this country illegally...bringing in all kinds of sickness...and the government takes care of them. We do everything the right way, for the right reasons...and it's so difficult. Now, I'm confused. Do we have to pay and go through entire med exam again in 8 weeks? Is anything else gonna expire in the meantime? Do we have to now bring even more evidence to the interview showing our continued relationship? I feel for any other couples going through these delays. It sucks. My fiancee has been crying for 2 days. My Christmas is ruined. I really want to go see her, but need to save the money for her trip and God knows what else.

[oatmeal 8]

Sorry to hear that. You just have to wait for the result of your sputum test in 3 days, now after 2 months if the culture is positive then thats another 6 months delay. If its negative then she can proceed to her interview. If she has all the evidence for your ongoing relationship, then thats good. No need to print all the emails, 5 or 6 emails per month if you have been exchanging emails everyday. Is she from Davao City?

[TBoneTX 45,284]

*** Thread moved from K-1 Process forum to the K-1 Case Progress subforum. ***

[Moderator hat off]

Her health needs to come first. Keep the faith.

[kingneptune1 6]

yeah she is from davao city

[kingneptune1 6]

just curious..has anyone gone to another physician and got another x-ray done? second opinion? would slec accept it if it showed no signs?

[oatmeal 8]

I'm also from Davao. Slec don't compare results. Hope she feel better soon.

[ChrisnKris 6]

Really sorry to hear this... I hope there haven't been many others experiencing the same and hope it's just a technical glitch... My love is also from Davao... We'll keep our positive thoughts for you two... All the best...

Chris & Kris

[kingneptune1 6]

thank you for the kind words...good luck to all of you as well

[chillin4me 15]

sorry to hear that.

SLEC is the only accredited medical facility to do medical exam for US immigration, their machine is very efficient that sees the tiniest scar on the lungs. Does she have history of Tuberculosis or has been exposed to people that have one? It may be the reason why. US just wants to make sure nobody can bring TB in the US soil. After 3 day sputum collection, result will come back, it it's positive she needs to undergo 6-month TB treatment. And if it is negative, they will run culture for the specimen, to really make sure she doesn't have TB. It is really very frustrating, believe me because we had to undergo that situation months ago with my mom. Relax, nothing you or anybody can do about it. Maybe just think that she can be with her family this Christmas, she can spend some more time with them, then when she comes to the US, you will both have forever to spend with each other.

SLEC won't honor any lab results or x-ray result other than from them.

No additional payment needed for it, unless she undergo the 6-month treatment, then she needs to do the medical exam again and pay for it. And if she needs to undergo the 6-month treatment, no payment is required, it is all included for what she paid in the medical exam, and she just needs to stay in Manila for treatment and observation through the treatment coarse. Best of luck to both of you.

This article might be helpful:

TB Screening (IV)

QUICK QUESTIONS

What is the process for TB screening?

Part of the medical screening process for all immigrant visa applicants is the chest X-ray examination requirement. A chest X-ray is not required for children below 15 years old, unless symptoms of tuberculosis (TB) exist, there is a history of TB, or there has been possible exposure to TB with a known case such as a family or household member with TB.

Please note that for pregnant women, since the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) has determined that chest X-rays are not harmful if taken with the proper shielding, St. Luke’s has been authorized to perform chest X-ray examinations on pregnant women in connection with their visa applications.

In certain cases, based upon the X-ray exam, abnormality consistent with pulmonary tuberculosis is observed. In these instances applicants are required to have follow up 3-day sputum specimens for AFB smears and MTB cultures for TB, the results of which will be available after 2 months.

If I am undergoing a sputum smear exam, can I still come in for my interview at the Embassy?

In the interest of public safety, visa appointments of applicants who are required to complete a sputum smear exam at St. Luke’s are scheduled at a later date when the results of the sputum smear and culture are available. The applicant need not contact the Embassy’s Immigrant Visa Unit to request rescheduling of the visa appointment. As soon as the sputum test and culture have been completed and our panel physicians have cleared the applicant for travel, St. Luke’s will advise the applicant regarding the interview scheduling.

We understand that the additional medical examinations for TB cause delays in the processing of an immigrant visa case. However, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is mandated by law to prevent the transmission and reduce the risk of spread of tuberculosis in the United States. As such, the strict medical screening of tuberculosis among our immigrant visa applicants is an essential component of the medical evaluation. This is a public health issue for which a Consular Officer has no discretion.

http://blogs.usembassy.gov/philippines/tb-screening-iv/

Edited November 19, 2014 by chillin4me

[kingneptune1 6]

thanks chillin...that was very helpful. Just have to hang on and be patient. there is nothing else we can do at this point. your outlook is exactly how we are trying to support each other through this. we dont have any other choice. just pray now everything goes smoothly and 8 weeks goes by fast.Can we reschedule our interview as soon as we get the clearance? i wonder how long it will take to get an appointment. this has been so painful waiting

[Hank_ 9,174]

Just looking for shoulders to cry on. Med exam at St. Lukes Monday...everything looks good. She goes back the next day for vaccinations...doctor tells her they saw something on x-ray...she needs to go in for sputum test. We are both feeling so broken, after the loss of her child and now this. I cant understand, she's perfectly healthy, not even a cough. She just had an exam a month and a half ago and her chest x-rays were great. What the hell? Now, no matter what...at least another 8 weeks before we can reschedule the interview. We are both really bummed out. Have been praying so hard for this...to be together...once and for all, for Christmas. So discouraging. So many come to this country illegally...bringing in all kinds of sickness...and the government takes care of them. We do everything the right way, for the right reasons...and it's so difficult. Now, I'm confused. Do we have to pay and go through entire med exam again in 8 weeks? Is anything else gonna expire in the meantime? Do we have to now bring even more evidence to the interview showing our continued relationship? I feel for any other couples going through these delays. It sucks. My fiancee has been crying for 2 days. My Christmas is ruined. I really want to go see her, but need to save the money for her trip and God knows what else.

#1 TB is highly contagious and kills, plus the Philippines is # 9 (WHO) for people with TB. SLEC has to follow the guidelines from CDC.

If all is good after the sputum the currently medical will be fine for getting the visa. The petition will not expire either (for up to a year).

Hopefully the sputum test will be negative and all will move quickly for you both.

Pop over to the Philippines forum for better answers related to the process in Manila.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/129-philippines/

[M and C 32]

Hopefully the sputum exam will be negative. It is a confirmatory exam to a chest x-ray that shows probable TB. It doesn't mean that your fiancee has TB to start with.

Hang in there!

[Rudy & Keren 7]

We have a bit of a different story related to the TB test to share.

My fiancee and her 8 year old daughter are comming from Mexico.

So for the daughter they gave her a TB test initially involving a shot into her arm (which she did not appreciate)

We then were instructed to come back to the clinic in two days because they wanted to see her arm and if there was a reation.

When we returned two days later there was a small raised area around the injection site.

Was required at that point the 8 year old get a chest x ray which one of the specialist looked at and said nothing showing in the lungs.

There was no other symptoms or body issues happening and the daughter was given a pass but we were told that we have to follow up with this in the US.

What they told us was that it is possible that the daughter was in contact at some point in the past with someone with TB or--- she just scratched the injection site too much.

So while we were a bit worried the day before returning to the clinic it did turn out fine.

Chances are in your favor that this will turn out ok for your family.

The biggest challenge I think really is the waiting and new discoveries of things that must be done.

I can tell you there were many times my fiancee was upset that the process was taking so long.

I also wanted it to go faster if possible but I have always remained strong for my fiancee letting her know that what ever it was going to take I would continue to push us forward over the obstacles.

So yes is important not to let your spirits fall but rather remind each other WHY all this journey is being done and HOW each of you will create a life together and what experiences you will enjoy together.

IF you keep focusing on the goals as the mountain tops its easier to take the long walk through the forest of this visa process.

Good Luck on your visa journey

Rudy

US citizen

[kingneptune1 6]

Thank you Rudy for those inspiring words. After getting over the initial shock we have concluded that we have just hang in there and do what it takes to be together. Just like you said...its a few small obstacles and a small setback but its all for a lifetime that we will be together and of course , it'll all be worth it. Remaining strong for each other, never ever giving up on our hope and dreams, and most importantly, our love for each other, is the key. We will get through this, we will keep praying, and we will remain strong...and we will be togther soon, forever. Bless you all for the advice and kind words....

[kingneptune1 6]

God said: if you never felt pain ,how would you know I'm a healer,

If you never felt sadness, how you know I'm a

COMFORTER

IF you NEVER felt lack anything, how would you know I'm a PROVIDER.

My child:

If life is perfect, would you still know me .???