Medical Experience at SLMEC

[GuardianAngel 1]

Once again, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the members of VJ for sticking with us from the start to the middle and hoping by the end of our journey, whenever it may be. The information I have gathered here has been outpouring. It helped me a lot in boosting my confidence especially when I have noticed that not all applicants are well informed of some minute details the medical process entails.

Then again, here is my experience with SLMEC. I have read a lot of posts already illustrating the map of SLMEC so I will just have to skip that part.

BEFORE THE MEDICAL

I decided to take my medical ahead of time even if we didn’t have our appointment letter yet just so I could still expedite matters that may incur in between. Just know that the NVC letter is already a good enough proof for entry in SLMEC.

And so, I booked a flight with Cebu Pacific, 8:20 AM to 9:45 AM Wednesday, December 16, 2009. Three days before my flight, I never stopped gathering articles from VJ and I also printed out previous experiences of some members. My fiancé kept assuring me that everything will be fine but still I never stopped worrying. Eventually, it affected him as well, “You are stressing me out! Just stay positive, you will pass” he said. Gladly, his tips were all effective and true. (thanks baby!)

When I arrived in Manila, I booked an accommodation in Las Palmas Hotel, a 15 minute walk from SLMEC. Aside from Las Palmas, I have seen quite a lot of hotels near SLMEC and the US Embassy, there’s Hyatt Hotel, Miramar Hotel, Bay View Park Hotel, Eurotel, and of course, the famous Cherry Blossom’s Hotel. So, when it comes to accommodation, not much to worry about.

DURING THE MEDICAL

At exactly 1PM, I arrived in SLMEC. I approached one of the guards and informed him that I am a K1 Beneficiary. He asked for my NVC letter/ appointment letter, passport and photocopies of it. The said passport copy will be used as reference when you go to the Embassy for your interview, since after the medical, all the documents as well as your passport will be forwarded by SLMEC to USEM. I suggest that you bring a folder where you can place all the necessary requirements; a clear book will be superb.

Also, it’s deemed advisable to just go there after lunch time. When I went there, the clinic was never crowded and likewise, the chairs weren’t even occupied. I didn’t even have that much idle time in between processes. Thanks to VJ.

As soon as you approach the guards, one of them will give you a PDS (Patient’s Data Sheet), DS-156K form, and a map of SLEC. This map will help you throughout the entire process. Also, don’t be afraid to ask the receptionists or the guards assigned in each floor in case you have questions. The PDS should be filled out with your name, fiancé’s name, contact number and address. Likewise, you will also have to write down the name, address and contact numbers of your relatives in the USA. In my case, I approached one of the receptionists and told her that I don’t have that information in handy, so she just asked me to leave it blank. Then, I submitted my passport, photocopy of the NVC letter, and 3pcs 2x2 picture with white background to the US Counter. One of the receptionists checked and verified if all the necessary information were filled out. After verification, she stapled all the forms and documents together with the passport and she called me for digital photo taking. It only took 10 seconds for her to take the photo. After than, she then instructed me to proceed to the cashier in the 5th floor so I can pay the necessary fee (9,814.00 php).

Just remember that in every medical test you have to undergo, you need to hand in all your documents to the receptionist / persons-in-charged including your passport. You will also be asked about the first and last day of your menstruation in every step of the way so be prepared for it.

After the cashier, I was asked to go to the 4th floor for the pregnancy test. I found out that all the processes are on case to case basis. In my case, I was asked to go to the 5th floor first for the Physical exam before my blood extraction and X-ray. I submitted my documents and passport to the receptionist and waited for my name to be called. After 10 minutes, I was told to have the eye test where I had to read one letter at a time. The nurse covered my left and right eye alternately.

I lined up again for my height and weight measurement and also for my vital signs. I was called after 5 minutes and the nurse asked me to remove my shoes and stand up on the weighing scale. After that, the nurse noted my blood pressure and pulse rate. Gladly, my results were fine. There was one applicant who was so stressed which caused her blood pressure to be abnormal. The nurse just said, “Maybe, it’s because you are just tensed, just tell the doctor about it.” There were four doctors who were present that day for the physical exam. We were asked to sit on the chairs and wait for our names to be called.

When the receptionist called my name, she also directed me to the cubicle / doctor where I would be assigned. I waited just outside the cubicle while chatting with some applicants. We had to be inaudible while chatting because the doctor from the other cubicle went out and asked the guards to get rid of noisy applicants. Even children were prohibited from making noises.

During the physical exam, the doctor asked for my previous history of allergies, ailments, hospitalizations, and such. She took down notes while I was talking to her. After a 30 minute talk about my condition, she then asked me to disrobe. She checked my breasts, my stomach, and asked me to bend down on my knees while facing the pillows naked. It was never awkward at all because the doctor made me feel at ease. We were even chatting about other issues while she was encoding my records.

After my physical exam, I headed down to the 4th floor for blood extraction. It was a smooth flowing process because there were no applicants waiting in line. I proceeded to the 3rd floor for the X-Ray. Again I was asked to disrobe since I was wearing a dress; I took off my necklace and was asked to wear one of the clean robes being placed in the changing room.

After the X-ray, I was asked to go to the 2nd floor for the immunization interview. It was so funny because when I was asked to sit inside the doctor’s cubicle, I picked the doctor’s chair and sat there. The doctor was smiling when I said, “Okay doc, it’s your turn for the immunization interview” just to get away from being embarrassed. We were both laughing and she just asked about a few questions regarding scars, allergies, previous vaccinations and such. It was a 15-minute interview.

Finally the first day was over, I handed down all my documents to the 2nd floor counter then the receptionist wrote down the time I needed to go back the following day. At this point, you will only have your passport and receipt, the rest of the documents should have been surrendered to the counter.

SECOND DAY

I needed to go back to SLMEC at 2 PM. I was walking from the hotel to the hospital and I couldn’t stop worrying and feeling tensed. I arrived at SLMEC at exactly 1:45 PM, I approached the guard right away and gave him my receipt and passport. He keyed in my PDS number to the computer just beside the podium. I felt so scared when he said “Oh my god! Ma’am your records are not here yet. I think it’s time for you to cry now!” I tried to conceal the feeling I had deep inside, I never wanted to assume but at the same time “I felt like fainting! But the guards added, “Don’t worry ma’am one thing’s for sure, you will have to treat us if you’re results will be fine, we will then jump with you up and down this Christmas tree.” We were just joking around. They tried not to make me feel worried and helpless. Finally, the guard checked the records again but still no record of my name was there. He then asked me to go to the immunization room and wait there. Deep inside I already had a hint that I passed, I just didn’t want to assume.

Lots of applicants were waiting. There were 20 applicants who were asked to undergo the sputum test. There were also some who had to undergo the TB treatment for 6 months. I couldn’t stop putting my shoes in theirs. I really felt so distracted, perturbed, and anxious. After 30 minutes of waiting, I approached the receptionist and asked if he already has my records. Indeed, he’s just waiting for the doctor’s signature to be affixed in my forms, after that I would be scheduled for the immunization already. I felt so happy then. But I didn’t want to be so sure so I continued waiting until the receptionist called my name and asked me to go to the immunization room. I was given three shots then.

After the immunization, I told the guards “BLEH! I’m already immunized! It’s your time to cry!” they were laughing. Then they said it should be okay for me to take a break first before waiting in line because for sure it will be a long wait. The guards were really approachable and they helped me in every step of the way. Indeed, I took a 15-min break and took the chance to call my fiancé and told him about the good news. He was very happy.

I went back inside and continued waiting. I was overwhelmed when I saw the applicants overflowing like theres a commotion or something. I found out in the end that SLMEC was having their Christmas Party and the employees just took turns in attending the ceremony. It's reason enough for the staff to be downsized thus, resulting to the delay of the processes.

After an hour or so, my name was called and I was asked to sign one of the forms. After that, I had to wait in line again for the final editing of my documents. After waiting for an hour or more, my name was finally called. The person-in-charge just asked for my interview date, verified my documents, and sealed all my results in an envelope. He told me that they will be the one to forward all my documents to USEM and I will just have to bring the photocopy of my passport, the receipt of my medical and the CD of my X-ray results during my visa interview.

That’s pretty much it.

My experience was a remarkable one. There’s really nothing to be scared of, just remember to stay friendly, honest, and patient and you will be fine.

To my fiancé, thank you for making me feel at ease. We will be together soon my prince, just one more step. Hopefully, we will be together before Valentine’s Day. Belated Happy Anniversary baby!

[Calypso 464]

Congratulations!

I have also printed a pinned thread to serve as guide before going to SLMCEC for my medical exam last October 13-14. However, I found out that each visa applicant doesn't really go through the exact or similar process at all.

One more step and you will be flying to the U.S.

We are waiting for you here.

Hakuna matata.

God bless us all.

FAE

[GuardianAngel 1]

Thank you Indeed, just one more step to be with my baby.