A friend of mine who I have been helping through the process is very concerned. His fiancée went to St Lukes for the medical and the x-ray was questionable according to St Lukes. She had to return for three days last week for the (Phlegm test) where you have to cough into a specimen jar to check for active TB. This was Tues-Thurs last week with a consultation with a doctor on Friday. The doctor told her that the test turned up negative but it was still up to the embassy if a visa will be issued. Her exact words were, "you have a 50-50 chance". This seems very strange to me as the test came up negitive and St Lukes never took a second x-ray to see if the problem was just a bad film, isn't she the doctor? I really haven't come across someone posting with this chain of events so I don't know what to tell my friend. She had to return to St Lukes on Monday, yesterday, for vaccinations and was given her passport back with a note stating that medical results were being transferred to the embassy. She has never been sick or showed signs of any active TB. She is about 8hrs from the interview and just hoping that everyone can send her a prayer or just a "good Luck". Here hoping for the best!!!

Marilyn and Peter.

You have my best and most sincere wishes .
I work in a large Medical Facility. For what it is worth, those tests are not as cut and dry as they seem.
In thought, someone can have active TB and not display signs of such. On the other hand, what appears to be a positive X-Ray may be just that. But positive simply refers to the tact that it is showing build up. That in no way implies TB, but that in fact they may have Pneumonia, or a respiratory infection of some sort. They can opt to perform other tests such as a manto test as well and delay them. But if it makes you feel any better, they have no way to confirm the TB thought without all the proper tests. So in thought they should do fine, and it will probably reprted off that they may require further testing on arrival in the states. So anyway...Best of luck, and my prayers are with you.

Thanks for the input and wishes. I do hope for the best since there was no positive indication that TB was present. Only a few hours to go until we know what the news is. At least my friend will know what the next step is once the interview is completed. I just hope she doesn't get the "wait till you hear from us" answer.

Marilyn and Peter.

Claudeth and I hopes that the interview is a success. Keep us posted.

I am guessing that the good vibes helped and the 50-50 chance went my friends way. She had her interview on Tuesday and was told that she was APPROVED! Thanks to all and good luck.

Marilyn and Peter.