Comments, Opinions, Knowledge, Please Help!

[raven52 233]

My fiance recently had her x-ray at St. Luke's and 1st doctor say ok, then 2nd doctor say ok, then 3rd doctor say "suspicious", so she had to go back the next week for 3 days of sputum tests. Then on 3rd day after 3 sputum tests were conducted, she had her evaluation. She was told ""THE SMEAR IS NEGATIVE""", but to call back March 27, that is over 2 months.,.,do not understand that.,.,is smear is "negative" isn't it likely the culture will come back negative also? And why more than 2 months?

I have read much information, saying +95% of sputum tests come back negative, and sometimes they call you after only 6-7 weeks when "negative" and sometimes they call you in 4-5 weeks if test is "positive".,.,.,.,I am so lost, do not know what to expect.,. we are at their mercy! My fiance is now back in Cebu, working, and I will go there to be with her during this tewrrible wait! Pleease. fellow VJers, offer me some opinions, and what might or might not happen with this test!!!! Thank you all for comments offered in advance!

[CajunKitty 8]

Hi,

As far as i know, even if the smear test comes back negative you still have to wait 2months for the culture result cause there were cases that people were tested negative on their smear test but was called before 2months because their culture result came back positive..

[pigmonk 16]

hi!

First of all you need to cancel your schedule for visa interview.

After the the sputum collection, your fiancee will go back to st. lukes for pulmonary evaluation. The doctor will tell her if the sputum smear is negative or positive. If it is positive, she will need to start the 6 months treatment. She needs to go to st.lukes everyday to take her medication. But she can take the meds with her during weekends because the clinic is close. She will also undergo x-ray and sputum exam from time to time (i think). Now if she is negative on sputum smear, the slec will need to culture her sputum. She will wait for 2 months for the result. After 2 months, and the culture came out negative, she will receive her vaccines and her passport will be stamped as cleared by st. lukes. Then she can proceed to visa interview.

St. lukes will schedule her for visa interview, or she can do it herself.

[LSnBigBear 61]

I feel for you and your fiancee. I am nervous as my fiancee is going Monday-Tuesday for her interview. It is amazing they seem to be healthy then poof this scare/fact in some cases comes up so often. Stay strong that is all anyone can do at this time. You made it 6-8 months already. Keep that in mind as time will fly by. ALl we can do is hope and pray. Good luck. I wish you both best of luck. Sorry again for your delay.

[raven52 233]

To pigmonk, you missed the part where the smear was ""negative""!!!

[pigmonk 16]

To pigmonk, you missed the part where the smear was ""negative""!!!

you really should control your frustration... and read my post again. it's in the last part... but i will post it again for you

"Now if she is negative on sputum smear, the slec will need to culture her sputum. She will wait for 2 months for the result. After 2 months, and the culture came out negative, she will receive her vaccines and her passport will be stamped as cleared by st. lukes. Then she can proceed to visa interview"

additionally, if between the 2 months waiting, the culture came out positive

"she will need to start the 6 months treatment. She needs to go to st.lukes everyday to take her medication. But she can take the meds with her during weekends because the clinic is close. She will also undergo x-ray and sputum exam from time to time (i think)"

Also, negative sputum smear doesn't guarantee negative C&S (culture and sensitivity). But most of those who underwent sputum culture and sensitivity test came out negative.

Another things is, the sputum culture actually take 3-5 weeks... the other 3 weeks is for testing what meds are appropriate for the bacteria that grow in the culture. So if St. Lukes doesnt call your fiancee in 6 weeks, she is likely to have a negative C&S result. If st. lukes call your fiancee before the 8 weeks of waiting ended, she is positive and must go back to st. lukes to start the medication.

I hope this helps.

Edited January 27, 2013 by pigmonk

[raven52 233]

To Pigmonk! Sorry for my over sight, and yes I do have so much fustration.,.,I need to settle down.,.,and just go through the process, again sorry my friend! Have you ever seen this culture come back in less than 2 months.,.,.,.. I have heard of them being called in 6 weeks sometimes, with a negative result.,.,..,again sorry my friend!

[pigmonk 16]

To Pigmonk! Sorry for my over sight, and yes I do have so much fustration.,.,I need to settle down.,.,and just go through the process, again sorry my friend! Have you ever seen this culture come back in less than 2 months.,.,.,.. I have heard of them being called in 6 weeks sometimes, with a negative result.,.,..,again sorry my friend!

st. lukes will not call your fiancee if she is negative, your fiancee should call them on the given date (March 27).. They will only call your fiancee is she is positive.

Also, after 7th week of waiting and "no call from st lukes", you fiancee may call the clinic to ask if for the result. After 7 weeks, the results are already out (According to a friend who works in st. lukes)

Edited January 27, 2013 by pigmonk

[TBoneTX 43,058]

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