devastated! 3days of sputum test

[ladylyn25 4]

Hi to my fellow here, yes you read it right, I will be going back to slec next week for sputum collection (nov.24,25,26)

When the lady at the reception area at the lab told me that I won't be able to receive the vaccination because the result of my xray was abnormal and I need to undergo sputum testing and wait for two months for the result. She told me that it is nit yet sure if indeed I have a tuberculosis. But still, I was devastated, can't believe it, was very confident that I won't be having any problem, but there is nothing I can do, but to wait. Of course both me and my fiancee devastated, but, this is it, just not having any luck. But it won't stop us. We gonna do this!

My questions are, the sputum collection/testing, is it included to the first payment,? (oh by the way, I paid P11,300)

Or are they going to charge additional, hope not!

Second question is, after two months, are they going to contact me, letting me know what is the result??

Third, if,it is negative, time fir me to continue the process??

FOURTH, if positive, (God forbid), if they're going to give me medications, do I have to go to the clinic each day for them to see that I am responsibly taking the medications? And the medicines, is there any additional cost for that??

There are lots of questions on my mind. Just hurting right now but I am still trying to be positive that the result of sputum testing will be negative.

I live in mindanao, so it is very expensive to fly go back and fourth, and worse staying in a hotel.

On the bright side my fiancee is very kind understanding and supportive, but of course I feel sorry that this cost a lot.

Hope to hear any insights from those who undergone sputum testing and after knowing the resul, what's next? Thank you!

[Pitaya 2,577]

~Moved from K1 Process to Phil. Regional Forum~

~Inquiry is country-specific~

[Jamimay 2]

Did u have ur medical last nov 16 and yesterday nov 17?

[ladylyn25 4]

Yes, November 16 &17, and I heard the bad news how bout you Jamimay? Are you done, how it was??

[DaNnE 17]

Yes, November 16 &17, and I heard the bad news how bout you Jamimay? Are you done, how it was??

Did you have any prior pneumonia, chronic bronchitis or something?

Have you had any x-ray before and found any abnormalities on it?

You will be fine I guess.. The sputum culture is just a precautionary measure to verify you don't have an active TB. Though the process will delay you a bit, the good thing about it is that, you will know your health status so don't fret

Keep communicating with your fiance and express any frustrations, you will be needing each other most at this moment. Keep the faith and love and I wish you all the best on this journey

[ladylyn25 4]

No, thankfully I was never been so sick, I don't even have a cough.

And I never had an xray before.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

ladylyn25, on 17 Nov 2015 - 6:22 PM, said:

Hi to my fellow here, yes you read it right, I will be going back to slec next week for sputum collection (nov.24,25,26)

When the lady at the reception area at the lab told me that I won't be able to receive the vaccination because the result of my xray was abnormal and I need to undergo sputum testing and wait for two months for the result. She told me that it is nit yet sure if indeed I have a tuberculosis. But still, I was devastated, can't believe it, was very confident that I won't be having any problem, but there is nothing I can do, but to wait. Of course both me and my fiancee devastated, but, this is it, just not having any luck. But it won't stop us. We gonna do this!

My questions are, the sputum collection/testing, is it included to the first payment,? (oh by the way, I paid P11,300) YES

Or are they going to charge additional, hope not!

Second question is, after two months, are they going to contact me, letting me know what is the result?? They will give you a date when you will call back for the results. They may call you a few days early, but usually not.

Third, if,it is negative, time fir me to continue the process?? They will release you, give you your packet, and you can reschedule your interview.

FOURTH, if positive, (God forbid), if they're going to give me medications, do I have to go to the clinic each day for them to see that I am responsibly taking the medications? And the medicines, is there any additional cost for that?? They will administer the prescription there at SLEC. You will report each day for six weeks. There are a lot of posts here that will help you. Just be patient.

There are lots of questions on my mind. Just hurting right now but I am still trying to be positive that the result of sputum testing will be negative. Control what you can control and let the process unfold. Main thing is to relax and go about your daily life. This can drag you down and effect you and the others around you. Try and be positive. Many have done this before you and they are not married and living in the USA.

I live in mindanao, so it is very expensive to fly go back and fourth, and worse staying in a hotel.

On the bright side my fiancee is very kind understanding and supportive, but of course I feel sorry that this cost a lot.

Hope to hear any insights from those who undergone sputum testing and after knowing the resul, what's next? Thank you!

Good luck. Be positive. Go about your life and don't worry. This will pass.

[ladylyn25 4]

Thank you Greenbaum. Yes everything's gonna be okay. Keeping the faith!

[Hank_ 9,174]

Hi to my fellow here, yes you read it right, I will be going back to slec next week for sputum collection (nov.24,25,26)

When the lady at the reception area at the lab told me that I won't be able to receive the vaccination because the result of my xray was abnormal and I need to undergo sputum testing and wait for two months for the result. She told me that it is nit yet sure if indeed I have a tuberculosis. But still, I was devastated, can't believe it, was very confident that I won't be having any problem, but there is nothing I can do, but to wait. Of course both me and my fiancee devastated, but, this is it, just not having any luck. But it won't stop us. We gonna do this!

My questions are, the sputum collection/testing, is it included to the first payment,? (oh by the way, I paid P11,300)

Or are they going to charge additional, hope not!

Second question is, after two months, are they going to contact me, letting me know what is the result??

Third, if,it is negative, time fir me to continue the process??

FOURTH, if positive, (God forbid), if they're going to give me medications, do I have to go to the clinic each day for them to see that I am responsibly taking the medications? And the medicines, is there any additional cost for that??

There are lots of questions on my mind. Just hurting right now but I am still trying to be positive that the result of sputum testing will be negative.

I live in mindanao, so it is very expensive to fly go back and fourth, and worse staying in a hotel.

On the bright side my fiancee is very kind understanding and supportive, but of course I feel sorry that this cost a lot.

Hope to hear any insights from those who undergone sputum testing and after knowing the resul, what's next? Thank you!

1) Everything is included in your initial payment to SLEC (including the DOT medication if it goes that far)

2) Normally you call SLEC on the date they give you to contact them.

3) If SPUTUM is negative you will show up at SLEC on the date they tell you, at that time you will get your vaccinations & medical file to take to the interview.

4) If TB is found, YES you have to complete the 6 MONTHS (not weeks) of DOT at SLEC, showing up daily.

Do not look upon this as being unlucky, TB kills and is highly contagious so it could be passed on to others, IF your SPUTUM is positive you are very LUCKY as you will be cured, and ready to live a long and happy life.

Edited November 18, 2015 by Hank_

[ladylyn25 4]

Thank you Hank Yes, you're right if might cause a delay, but if ever I am positive of TB, well then I am lucky that I will be get cured, that's what my fiancee keep telling me, but of course I do hoping and praying that the result of my sputum test is negative, gosh, just now come to a realization of sometimes the "negative" means "good". Yeah in the meantime waiting, all can do.

THAnk you everyone

[ken1215 1]

Hi, I just wanted to share my experience. Hope it might ease the hardship you are going through and those who are undergoing the same situation.. So, here it goes..I was shocked when Slec told me that there's an abnormality on my xray result and advised me to undergo sputum test. I always knew that I'm healthy and I checked every symptoms that a person with active TB and I can say that I don't have any of the symptoms. I was confident that I will pass my medical

with flying colors because 6mos before my medical I had a general check up and my xray was crystal clear. I was in the US for the last 6mos and I know that TB prevalence in the US is very minimal (4 out of a 100,000). I came back here in the PI 2 days before going into medical at slec and I was relly devastated when they told me that I had to undergo a sputum test but what can we do, it is what it is..So, I've undergo sputum collection last october 19,20 & 21 and on the 23rd for my pulmonary eval and Thank God, all came out negative.. I ask the doctor about the percentage that it might turn positive, she said only 5-10%.. so, if you have a negative smear and dont have any symptoms, 90% of the time its negative. but I have to wait 2mos for the culture result and "waiting is not my strongest suit" , and I really really wanted to be with my family this coming christmas.. So everyday, I pray and never forgot to thank God for each day that I dont receive a call from slec.. Like all those undergoing sputum culture, I understand the agony that you are going through, I keep

on reading on different forums about patients that have also undergone sputum culture and its really hard to stay relax. Based on the comments from different forums, I can conclude that the most crucial time that a tb bacteria may grom in the culture is within 2-5 weeks.. If you pass that window, chances of having a negative result gets higher and higher. Also, based on my experience when i went to slec for sputum collection, you have to wear a mask as soon as you get into the line since I noticed that those who are undergoing DOT are very close to those who are for sputum collection, so, its wise to be more cautious since TB is an airborne disease and is contagious. I suggest that you bring with you a mask though the security will give you one but only after the building opened.. Right now, its been 7 weeks and 6 days of my sputum culture, I called at around 3pm and I'm happy to say that I passed! the result came out negative! For those who are still on the process, have more faith! keep praying and praying, God is good all the time:)

[ken1215 1]

Oh i forgot, when I went to slec for my medical, I was having an allegic rhinitis due to smoke, allergens and pollution that i've inhaled..when I went on the second day, I was informed that i had to do another xray because they're not sure if there was an abnormality.. so, I was xrayed again but different position.. then the nurse told me to come back in the afternoon to let me

know that there was an abnormlity on my xray.. on my pulmo eval, the doctor said that there was a cloudy area on the upper right side of my lungs.. I had a second opinion, ask a

doctor that I know, he said that it might be just congestion because of the colds i had that day.. but still i went to slec for sputum test since its their protocol.. so, for those who will be going to their medical, make sure that you are in your perfect healthy condition before going coz you'll never know, a simple cough, colds, or asthma

might delay you for 2months..