Sputum test required.

[Willie_Overall 30]

On 10/24/2024 at 7:36 AM, WCF said:

Thank you for asking. She showed up at SLEC and was "cleared." She was asked where she was going to get "treatment," either in the Philippines or the USA. There has never been any clear communication about what she would be getting "treatment" for. There is no definitive diagnosis or reason for treatment. I worked in hospitals for years and currently work in the field of healthcare. I have not been impressed with the medical procedures or advice that she has been given. Based on a CT scan a pulmonologist wanted to stat her on medication. The entire ordeal was very stressful. I am just glad it is behind us and when she gets to the USA, I will get her another CT scan so that we can do a comparative analysis. 
Again, I want to thank you, and everyone for their kindness and support.

 

I'm a healthcare provider in the US and my wife just found out she will have to submit sputum. Just wondering if your wife ever had that CT scan completed in the US.

 

This entire process is frustrating. It's very clear that the "doctors" at St. Luke's don't know how to read chest x-rays.

[WCF 17]

21 hours ago, Willie_Overall said:

 

I'm a healthcare provider in the US and my wife just found out she will have to submit sputum. Just wondering if your wife ever had that CT scan completed in the US.

 

This entire process is frustrating. It's very clear that the "doctors" at St. Luke's don't know how to read chest x-rays.

 

Yes, extremely frustrating as what the medical doctors do in the Philippines is far from best practice. 
She entered the country 92 days ago. We were married 2 weeks ago. I have not had a comparative CT scan here as I am adding her to my health insurance this month and will address it once she is fully insured. I have viewed both the chest image and scan, and I am not concerned. If I was I would certainly have done something sooner but feel comfortable making it part of a more comprehensive physical/gyno exam. 
Best of luck to you and your fiancee. You will get through it. I hope the communication with St Luke's and any requested follow-up is better than it was for us!

[Willie_Overall 30]

7 hours ago, WCF said:

 

Yes, extremely frustrating as what the medical doctors do in the Philippines is far from best practice. 
She entered the country 92 days ago. We were married 2 weeks ago. I have not had a comparative CT scan here as I am adding her to my health insurance this month and will address it once she is fully insured. I have viewed both the chest image and scan, and I am not concerned. If I was I would certainly have done something sooner but feel comfortable making it part of a more comprehensive physical/gyno exam. 
Best of luck to you and your fiancee. You will get through it. I hope the communication with St Luke's and any requested follow-up is better than it was for us!

 

Thanks. We're IR1 (married just over 2 years now). She has her sputum appointments next week. Hoping that it doesn't go beyond that.

 

And, yeah, that makes sense. If you feel any better, I've seen a ton of "positive" chest x-rays from the Philippines for various things. They were all very obviously negative. I've never seen a CT scan from there. It would be interesting to see how badly they misread those.

 

Congrats on the marriage and having your wife there with you!

[Willie_Overall 30]

On 10/24/2024 at 7:36 AM, WCF said:

Thank you for asking. She showed up at SLEC and was "cleared." She was asked where she was going to get "treatment," either in the Philippines or the USA. There has never been any clear communication about what she would be getting "treatment" for. There is no definitive diagnosis or reason for treatment. I worked in hospitals for years and currently work in the field of healthcare. I have not been impressed with the medical procedures or advice that she has been given. Based on a CT scan a pulmonologist wanted to stat her on medication. The entire ordeal was very stressful. I am just glad it is behind us and when she gets to the USA, I will get her another CT scan so that we can do a comparative analysis. 
Again, I want to thank you, and everyone for their kindness and support.

 

Also, can you elaborate a bit on this entire situation? It sounds like she was sent home, returned at the 8 week mark, and was told to get a CT scan for reasons unknown? Then she was just told to get some kind of treatment? They forced you to get a CT scan?

 

Sorry for all of the questions. I told my wife about your thread and she's freaking out now.

[WCF 17]

9 hours ago, Willie_Overall said:

 

Also, can you elaborate a bit on this entire situation? It sounds like she was sent home, returned at the 8 week mark, and was told to get a CT scan for reasons unknown? Then she was just told to get some kind of treatment? They forced you to get a CT scan?

 

Sorry for all of the questions. I told my wife about your thread and she's freaking out now.

 

Our situation was somewhat unusual but I found others who went through the same, or a vary similar situation.
After "reading" her chest Xray, she was told to return for the 3 day sputum collection. In addition, she was given an order to see a doctor not affiliated with St Luke's for a follow up exam and have the doctor submit the results directly to St. Luke's within 10 days. 
I found a pulmonologist at a local hospital, made an appointment and corresponded with her explaining the situation, what I believed to best practice and the icd-10 code for the diagnosis. The pulmonologist insisted on the CT scan and after reviewing the scan gave my fiancée a Dx of TB. (Which you know from being in the field is not possible.)
Of course my fiancée FREAKED OUT and I was concerned that she was going to be mandated for treatment unnecessarily. 
The scan and pulmonology report was sent to St Luke's as requested. My fiancée returned in 8 weeks for the sputum results, which was negative and she "passed" her medical. St Luke's gave her the CT scan and told her to take it to America with her. 
At her point of entry (San Francisco) they took the medical envelope but she retained the CT Scan.
I just view this as bureaucratic incompetence, and have also discovered the financial relationship between MDs at the hospital where she saw the doctor and the Ct scan provider. (Finding other patients sent for unnecessary scans as there is a financial incentive.)
As you know, there are many causes for benign lung nodules. After breathing the daily garbage burns in the Philippines, I probably have a few.
I hope your wife can remain calm. It can be a confusing and frustrating process. I hope you and your wife have an easier path.
Best, Chris

 

[Willie_Overall 30]

9 hours ago, WCF said:

 

Our situation was somewhat unusual but I found others who went through the same, or a vary similar situation.
After "reading" her chest Xray, she was told to return for the 3 day sputum collection. In addition, she was given an order to see a doctor not affiliated with St Luke's for a follow up exam and have the doctor submit the results directly to St. Luke's within 10 days. 
I found a pulmonologist at a local hospital, made an appointment and corresponded with her explaining the situation, what I believed to best practice and the icd-10 code for the diagnosis. The pulmonologist insisted on the CT scan and after reviewing the scan gave my fiancée a Dx of TB. (Which you know from being in the field is not possible.)
Of course my fiancée FREAKED OUT and I was concerned that she was going to be mandated for treatment unnecessarily. 
The scan and pulmonology report was sent to St Luke's as requested. My fiancée returned in 8 weeks for the sputum results, which was negative and she "passed" her medical. St Luke's gave her the CT scan and told her to take it to America with her. 
At her point of entry (San Francisco) they took the medical envelope but she retained the CT Scan.
I just view this as bureaucratic incompetence, and have also discovered the financial relationship between MDs at the hospital where she saw the doctor and the Ct scan provider. (Finding other patients sent for unnecessary scans as there is a financial incentive.)
As you know, there are many causes for benign lung nodules. After breathing the daily garbage burns in the Philippines, I probably have a few.
I hope your wife can remain calm. It can be a confusing and frustrating process. I hope you and your wife have an easier path.
Best, Chris

 

 

Thanks for the detailed response, Chris! I really appreciate it. It definitely sounds like you guys had worse luck than most, a combination of extreme incompetence and Filipino corruption. Sorry you had to go through that.

 

I'm sure your wife is probably fine and likely doesn't have tuberculosis (or any concerning condition). Good luck with everything and thanks again!

[WCF 17]

1 hour ago, Willie_Overall said:

 

Thanks for the detailed response, Chris! I really appreciate it. It definitely sounds like you guys had worse luck than most, a combination of extreme incompetence and Filipino corruption. Sorry you had to go through that.

 

I'm sure your wife is probably fine and likely doesn't have tuberculosis (or any concerning condition). Good luck with everything and thanks again!

You are correct that we got the short end of the stick, but it all worked out and our total process to visa in hand was still only 8 months after taking a month off the process to travel to Thailand. It was frustrating but all behind us now and she is very happy here in California. We are currently filling for AOS and AP so we can go travel ASAP!
You and your wife will be fine. Best Wishes!

[Willie_Overall 30]

On 3/27/2025 at 6:40 PM, WCF said:

You are correct that we got the short end of the stick, but it all worked out and our total process to visa in hand was still only 8 months after taking a month off the process to travel to Thailand. It was frustrating but all behind us now and she is very happy here in California. We are currently filling for AOS and AP so we can go travel ASAP!
You and your wife will be fine. Best Wishes!

 

We actually just spent some time in Thailand (we were trying to switch her case to that country, but got denied by NVC despite having a valid visa) and I'm also in California. Small world!

 

Anyway, thanks for the encouraging words! Hopefully, our process will be smooth going forward. Best wishes to you as well!