St. Lukes Testing Procedure (merged threads)

[Hank_ 9,174]

14 minutes ago, PWB said:

That sounds like the same thing my fiance(e) said.  Appears that others in her group will get tested.  Just got to wait and see what happens on the next visit at SLEC.  What do you mean about the dread call before the 8 weeks mark?  Before I purchased the tickets we went to an outside doctor knowing the results were not valid, those test revealed no problem, so I got a false sense of security.

The dreaded call.  IF SLEC calls early that normally means the culture is positive for TB.  Next on the list is 6 months of treatment, DOT.

 

Going to an outside clinic is a waste of time, even if you think it gives you peace of mind,  the x-ray machines at SLEC are light years superior to what you find at any of the clinics and the majority of hospitals.

Edited December 5, 2019 by Hank_

[apellica 80]

31 minutes ago, Hank_ said:

The dreaded call.  IF SLEC calls early that normally means the culture is positive for TB.  Next on the list is 6 months of treatment, DOT.

 

Going to an outside clinic is a waste of time, even if you think it gives you peace of mind,  the x-ray machines at SLEC are light years superior to what you find at any of the clinics and the majority of hospitals.

That is just crazy.  So if that person doesn't live in Manila, they would have to move?  I know my fiancee has a job and lives very far from Manila.  Most certainly she would get fired if she had to undergo a daily treatment for 6 months!   Finding another job for her is not easy and she needs the money for obvious reasons.

[geowrian 22,337]

1 minute ago, apellica said:

That is just crazy.  So if that person doesn't live in Manila, they would have to move?  I know my fiancee has a job and lives very far from Manila.  Most certainly she would get fired if she had to undergo a daily treatment for 6 months!   Finding another job for her is not easy and she needs the money for obvious reasons.

At least temporarily, yes. Unfortunately, many others have abused the process by stopping treatment prematurely, leading to drug-resistant strains of TB. Or by paying off local doctors.

DOT by a CDC-approved facility (SLEC in this case) is the only option to ensure the treatment is actually taken and on the right schedule. Well, the other option is to be treated elsewhere then wait out another 1 year before SLEC will accept it. But that would be adding at least another 1.5 years to the process (6 months treatment - assuming no issues - then 12 month waiting period).

[Sarge2155 4,587]

1 hour ago, PWB said:

You are most likely right about the 8 week period, she was pretty shaken up.

Understandable.

[apellica 80]

12 minutes ago, geowrian said:

At least temporarily, yes. Unfortunately, many others have abused the process by stopping treatment prematurely, leading to drug-resistant strains of TB. Or by paying off local doctors.

DOT by a CDC-approved facility (SLEC in this case) is the only option to ensure the treatment is actually taken and on the right schedule. Well, the other option is to be treated elsewhere then wait out another 1 year before SLEC will accept it. But that would be adding at least another 1.5 years to the process (6 months treatment - assuming no issues - then 12 month waiting period).

This is very disturbing to us.  If she got detected with anything like TB, I really don't know what we would do.  Difficult life-changing decisions would need to be made and I think it would ultimately destroy her....

[Zoeeeeeee 797]

13 minutes ago, apellica said:

This is very disturbing to us.  If she got detected with anything like TB, I really don't know what we would do.  Difficult life-changing decisions would need to be made and I think it would ultimately destroy her....

Surely if it transpires that she has TB, that would be pretty life-changing...and potentially life-ending if not treated. Remember, the six months treatment in Manila isn't for testing...it's after testing, if the diagnosis is confirmed positive...so surely if she has TB, it'd be worth changing her job and moving for, to not only get the visa and be reunited with you,  but also to get the treatment that may well save her life?

[AGF 146]

5 hours ago, PWB said:

My fiance had her initial K1 Visa Medical Examination on December 4, 2019 and at the end of the first day she was told that 20% of applicants where required to undergo a 3 day Sputum Test  and was scheduled for the 10, 11, and 12th of December.  She was also told there there would

be a 12 week time period to develop a culture and the Embassy Interview will need to be rescheduled.  Trying to figure out what happened.   Is this random selection of 20% of the applicants indeed a fact or was something detected in the other testing.   Needless to say I am out a bunch of money on airlines tickets and other associated cost.

I underwent that same procedure at SLEC. There would be TB smear ( 3 days after the 3rd day of sputum test ), and then TB culture ( 8 weeks after that ). Most of the info is correct: pray that you would not get any call on that 8-week waiting period, otherwise your fiancée has to go to a 6-month DOT ( directly observed therapy ) and take her medication every single day at SLEC, in the presence of the health care professional. As I understand, it’s free. I know it’s frustrating, me and my then-fiancé ( now husband ) prayed everyday that we do not get that dreaded call. After 8 weeks and she’s clear, you can go right ahead and schedule your embassy interview. As daunting as it may be, TB is a killer, so we appreciate the fact that SLEC is doing its job in screening immigrants really well. You will get through this. Good luck on your journey 😊

[Hank_ 9,174]

46 minutes ago, apellica said:

That is just crazy.  So if that person doesn't live in Manila, they would have to move?  I know my fiancee has a job and lives very far from Manila.  Most certainly she would get fired if she had to undergo a daily treatment for 6 months!   Finding another job for her is not easy and she needs the money for obvious reasons.

That is about the jest of it ... temporary move for 6 months.   No options, DOT is Direct Observation Therapy     .. they will make sure you take the medication.

[apellica 80]

34 minutes ago, Zoeeeeeee said:

Surely if it transpires that she has TB, that would be pretty life-changing...and potentially life-ending if not treated. Remember, the six months treatment in Manila isn't for testing...it's after testing, if the diagnosis is confirmed positive...so surely if she has TB, it'd be worth changing her job and moving for, to not only get the visa and be reunited with you,  but also to get the treatment that may well save her life?

I agree with you, but it would take such an emotional toll as well as losing her job.  It would be just too much to take in for someone like my fiancee.  I understand how life-threatening it is, but it would be very difficult for her.

 

I pray everything turns out alright for her.....

Edited December 5, 2019 by apellica

[Carpe Vinum 2,327]

1 hour ago, apellica said:

That is just crazy.  So if that person doesn't live in Manila, they would have to move?  I know my fiancee has a job and lives very far from Manila.  Most certainly she would get fired if she had to undergo a daily treatment for 6 months!   Finding another job for her is not easy and she needs the money for obvious reasons.

There is enough to worry about than losing your mind over something that hasn't happened yet. But, I understand. It has crossed all of our minds during this process. If your fiance does require the process you will have to decide if you can step up and help her. There are other options but they do add a considerable amount of time to the process as stated up thread.

[JFH 12,190]

*~*~*location-specific question moved to Philippines regional forum*~*~* 

[PWB 213]

My Fiance was scheduled for a sputum test after she told  ST. Lukes at her KI Visa physical  that she was treated for TB in 2004.  She supplied them with all documentation from the treatment and they would not accept it.   Even though she had a clear X-Ray and there was no other testing that indicated a problem she was scheduled for a culture and St. Lukes told her to cancel the Embassy Interview.   When she complained the doctor said that because of the contract with the Embassy they could not take a chance and had to validate her prior treatment. I understand that  you can get falsified medical records, but when the E-Ray is clean this seems to be an overreach by St. Lukes.   Just trying to understand.  I want the best for her, but was this necessary.  I am not alone with this situation others were scheduled for sputum testing  the same day as well. 

[geowrian 22,337]

This is a procedure set by the CDC actually.

[bowens44 214]

19 hours ago, apellica said:

This is very disturbing to us.  If she got detected with anything like TB, I really don't know what we would do.  Difficult life-changing decisions would need to be made and I think it would ultimately destroy her....

That' how we felt too...until it happened. My fiancee (now wife)  got the dreaded call about 6 weeks into the process. She lived in Bacolod so we had to get her a studio appartment in Manila a couple of blocks from SLEC. Yes it was devasting to get the news but in a wierd way I think it made our relationship stronger, when I didn't walk away,  she Iknew I was in it for the long haul. We have been very happily married now for 4 years.  My point is that hopefully it won't happen but if it does you can through it.

[PWB 213]

3 minutes ago, bowens44 said:

That' how we felt too...until it happened. My fiancee (now wife)  got the dreaded call about 6 weeks into the process. She lived in Bacolod so we had to get her a studio appartment in Manila a couple of blocks from SLEC. Yes it was devasting to get the news but in a wierd way I think it made our relationship stronger, when I didn't walk away,  she Iknew I was in it for the long haul. We have been very happily married now for 4 years.  My point is that hopefully it won't happen but if it does you can through it.

Agree, her health is the bottom line and I am committed for the long run.  Going through this K1 process makes you put logic to the side and bring patience to the forefront.