Did not pass medical

[oldlipa 0]

My fiancee took her medical check up at St Lukes a few days ago. Unfortunately her xrays showed a tiny cloudy spot which needed additional tests...the dreaded sputum test. Now she has to go back to St Lukes in two weeks and then wait for the results for another two months. Of course we are devasted since we have to go through this prolonged wait. We had to cancel her Embassy interview for July 8. My fiancee works in a hospital and she had additional xrays done yesterday to see exactly what it could be. Her personal doctor said it could be a beginning case of asthma due to complications of allergic rhinitis. Now would that be a reason to show up as a positive result on her sputum test? Aren't they looking for serious cases like TB, bronchitis, or pnuemonia. Any advise is appreciated

[edp333 9]

Any delays are hard to take since the process takes so long. But it is SLEC'S responsibility to prevent any infectious disaease from entering the USA per the Center for Disease Control protocols. For this reason no other tests or medical facility results are normally accepted.

The clinic is specifically looking for PTB and anyone with scars on their lungs goes through the sputum test.

This topic has info I did not cover: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/257892-sputum-test/

[Tahoma 2,291]

oldlipa...Sorry to hear about your delay. I hope the time goes quickly for you.

September is one of my favorite months here in the States. Your fiancée should be here by then, and I hope she enjoys it as much as I do.

[Norm and Grace 0]

Were in the same situation. Wife had something show up on her X-ray.

Her appointment for the SPUTUM test is on the 5th of July. I just couldn't believe it. I saw somewhere that only a very small percent of people who go in for the SPUTUM culture test come out positive for taburculosis. Dont worry, I mean you waited this long, whats a couple of more months right. I pray it all goes well for our ladies. Good luck.

[sjr09 155]

My fiancee took her medical check up at St Lukes a few days ago. Unfortunately her xrays showed a tiny cloudy spot which needed additional tests...the dreaded sputum test. Now she has to go back to St Lukes in two weeks and then wait for the results for another two months. Of course we are devasted since we have to go through this prolonged wait. We had to cancel her Embassy interview for July 8. My fiancee works in a hospital and she had additional xrays done yesterday to see exactly what it could be. Her personal doctor said it could be a beginning case of asthma due to complications of allergic rhinitis. Now would that be a reason to show up as a positive result on her sputum test? Aren't they looking for serious cases like TB, bronchitis, or pnuemonia. Any advise is appreciated

The Sputun test is to determine active TB only.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhinitis

AllergicMain article: Allergic rhinitis <A class=internal title=Enlarge href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Misc_pollen.jpg' class='thumbimage' alt='""' /><A title=Pollen href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pollen">Pollen grains from a variety of common plants can cause hay fever.Allergic rhinitis or hay fever is when an allergen such as pollen or dust is inhaled by an individual with a sensitized immune system, it triggers <A title=Antibody href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antibody">antibody production. These antibodies mostly bind to <A class=mw-redirect title="Mast cells" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mast_cells">mast cells, which contain <A title=Histamine href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Histamine">histamine. When the mast cells are stimulated by pollen and dust, histamine (and other chemicals) are released. This causes itching, swelling, and <A title=Mucus href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mucus">mucus production. Symptoms vary in severity between individuals. Very sensitive individuals can experience <A class=mw-redirect title=Hives href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hives">hives or other <A title=Rash href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rash">rashes. Particulate matter in polluted air and chemicals such as <A title=Chlorine href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorine">chlorine and detergents, which can normally be tolerated, can greatly aggravate the condition.

Characteristic physical findings in individuals who have allergic rhinitis include conjunctival swelling and erythema, eyelid swelling, lower eyelid venous stasis, lateral crease on the nose, swollen nasal turbinates, and middle ear effusion.^{<A href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhinitis#cite_note-5">[6]}

[pixie77 2]

Her personal doctor said it could be a beginning case of asthma due to complications of allergic rhinitis. Now would that be a reason to show up as a positive result on her sputum test? Aren't they looking for serious cases like TB, bronchitis, or pnuemonia. Any advise is appreciated

Hi,

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. I know waiting is such an agony.

I am an asthmatic, I have both bronchial and skin asthma [atopic dermatitis/eczema] and used to have bad asthma attacks when I was still in the Philippines. Allergies & Asthma go together in my case. Rhinitis can be triggered by allergies. When I went for check ups I remember that whenever my pulmonologist would make a request for chest x-ray it will always come out to be inconclusive and so I had to do another kind of x-ray which was called the alv or something like that. It's basically from my chest down to the lumbar area and it ruled out other suspicions of my doctor especially tubeculosis.

I hope that everything works out fine, there's no harm in seeing a pulmonologist as this is their area of specialty and just to make sure that she's clear, if its just a case of asthma I don't think she needs to be worried about that. I have gone through this a lot of times in my life that it never alarmed me if my chest x-ray comes out inconclusive or they need further testing. But all the time it was always negative of any serious ailment.

I hope somehow my story lessens a bit of your anxiety. Goodluck and hope that everything turns out great for both of you.

[oldlipa 0]

Thank you everybody for their kind words and advice. Looks like we just have to be patient and wait it out. Unfortunately the visa petition expires on Aug 11 which is way before we will get the sputum test results in September. Can I extend the visa petition and how? Also, is there any fees involved?

[Tahoma 2,291]

Thank you everybody for their kind words and advice. Looks like we just have to be patient and wait it out. Unfortunately the visa petition expires on Aug 11 which is way before we will get the sputum test results in September. Can I extend the visa petition and how? Also, is there any fees involved?

I don't understand how your "visa petition expires on August 11." Where did you read this? Would you kindly provide a link about the expiration of visa petitions.

Thanks.

[oldlipa 0]

On the NOA2 form there is a section under the beneficiary name - Notice Type: Approval notice Valid from 4/12/2010 to 8/11/2010

[sjr09 155]

Your NOA2 (Notice Of Action) is not a visa or petition, your I-129F is the petition. At this time you have not had the interview, you have 'no' visa at this time. Spend some time and read the Guides at the top.....

Edited July 2, 2010 by sjr09

[Tahoma 2,291]

You have nothing to worry about...St. Lukes will reschedule her interview in two months when the result of the TB culture is negative.

[Filipinawife0210 15]

I don't understand how your "visa petition expires on August 11." Where did you read this? Would you kindly provide a link about the expiration of visa petitions.

Thanks.

First, contact the National Visa Center at NVCInquiry@state.gov, put the petition number and expiration date in the subject line, and remember to include relevant data in the body of the email, such as applicant's name and date of birth, your (petitioner's) full name and date of birth, and repeat that the K-1 petition validity is expiring on 8/11/2010. However, don't panic: consular officers can revalidate an expired K-1 petition and add a couple of months to the validity period.

From an immigration lawyer FWIW. Petitions DO have an expiration date.

Edited to add: From the DOS website...

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_2994.html

"Extending the Petition

The I-129F petition is valid for four months from the date of approval from USCIS. Consular officers can extend the validity of the petition (revalidate the petition) if it expires."

Edited July 6, 2010 by Filipinawife0210

[Tahoma 2,291]

^^^ Thank you for the link that verifies the four-month life of a USCIS-approved I-129. It is the first time that I am aware of it. However, I don't think there is anything to worry about in a case like this, where an I-129 is actively working it's way through the process. I have never heard of a case where the USEM adhered to the four-month expiration rule due to the two-month delay caused by the TB culture. As a matter of fact, after the culture comes back negative, St. Lukes will be the one to reschedule the interview.

[Filipinawife0210 15]

^^^ Thank you for the link that verifies the four-month life of a USCIS-approved I-129. It is the first time that I am aware of it. However, I don't think there is anything to worry about in a case like this, where an I-129 is actively working it's way through the process. I have never heard of a case where the USEM adhered to the four-month expiration rule due to the two-month delay caused by the TB culture. As a matter of fact, after the culture comes back negative, St. Lukes will be the one to reschedule the interview.

Agreed

[subsqueeze 0]

Just wondering after waiting 2 months for sputem culture do you have to go all the way to manila to find out the results or will the tell you over the phone?

I seems alot of trouble to go there then go go home then back for the interview.