AFQuaid

I knew this Off-Topic session would have me posting eventually and so happens right now I need to let off a bit of steam about a pair of glasses

Yes you're probably thinking, "oh boy this looks an exciting thread." But believe me it gets beyond a joke when it didn't even start out as one!

Ok here goes;

So 7 weeks ago I had the "Outside" Clinic come to my home for an eye test for some new glasses. The test took over an hour and she pointed out that I have "high pressure" in my eyes which could be Glaucoma (which I now have another test with an eye specialist for on the 5th). So ok, no big deal it might just be "my normal" may not be Glaucoma so I wasn't too worried. Then she has me pick out my glasses and I asked for a spare pair because I'm neutorious for dropping things. Then here's the first blow £800!!!! For two sets of glasses. She said it was because of my muscle disorder she has to have like 5 different lenses squashed into one or something. Ok so after a bit of a grumble and pulling it out of my savings (because I couldn't afford them any other way) it was all done and she said 3 weeks till they're ready.

So week after week go by and eventually I start to get nervous cos I want them for the interview really. So I phone up last week (week 6) and ask where the heck they are. I mean they cost me £800!! The lady said they were having problems with the lenses and if I wanted one pair delivered they could do that. So I said I'd call back once I thought about it because I have to pay for em to come out again! So I rung em back last friday and the lady says they broke one of my glasses by accident, the bridge broke and it's going back to the lab. And I said that the other lady said they could deliver one pair and I explained about my interview and I need to be able to see!!! Then she says "oh I dunno if we can do that!" ####### so I explained the other lady SUGGESTED IT. By this time I was panicing and getting a tad angry. And apparently one pair is for reading and one for distance. So what happens if I want to read something at a distance? The opticions never said anything about two different purpose ones. So another person phones up this morning from the "outside" clinic and apologises and is giving me back £100 for the inconvience. I again went on about I at least need the reading glasses by August 9th and she says she has to wait till one of the staff is in our area but we pay for em to deliver em! I've already waiting 7 weeks now.

Some might remember the glasses issue when I was on about it in VJ chatroom. I tried to ask to see if contact lenses would be better like somebody suggested but apparently my vision issues are too complex for standard contacts and this place only does glasses.

/rant off

Feel a bit better now I got that out. Geeze never had so much problems getting a pair of glasses in my life!

Like the others have said age shouldn't be an issue for you guys at all. The only times I personally have ever read an age issue is when the couple have a rather large age gap between each other or the couple is below 18.

See I'm 18 in September and we're getting around the "legal to marry" issue by waiting till after my Birthday to legally do it if the visa is approved

You guys should be fine. Best of luck.

Hiya,

I was wondering if anybody could name any good private health insurance companies in California USA? We've contacted a few and asked the following;

1. Does the company allow people with pre-existing conditions to apply?

2. Can somebody as young as 18 apply or do they need somebody to sign for them?

So far we've got no replied and I really want to have a rough idea about who I'm going to sign up with incase they ask at the medical. So if anybody has any recommendations of companies please please reply

It's be much appresiated.

Totally know where you're coming from. I actually have an "overall" letter from my GP which lists all my medical conditions and surgeries and his approval of "fit to fly." Plus a letter from each of my specialists giving an overview of their involvement in what medical issue and its current status.

Thank you both you've really cleared this up for me.

Does anybody know where I can download another copy of the Medical Questionaire? I had written my medications on the overside of it but some have changed in dose and I don't want to use one that has crossing outs on.

Thank you very much The fog is clearing... much appresiated.

Hi Everyone,

I have posted previously about the Medical Questionaire but this time it's a whole different ballgame that I'd be extremely greatful for any advice on. Particularly from people who have filled in the Medical Questionare for London with ANY medical issue in your history.

I'm going to list my issues so they can be understood better or else I'd be a whole jumble. Here goes...

1. One of the questions asks if you have a Neurological disorder. I have a Neuromuscular Disorder but see a Neurologist for checkups every 6 months. At first I would imagine I would tick no, but if I see a neurologist for a neuromuscular disorder does that indicate I should therefore tick yes?

2. Have you ever been hospitalized (bringing this up again). I for sure would tick YES. But it's where it says at the bottom to give details on an additional sheet where I am confused still. I was hospitalised at 3 1/2 for over a week for tests only which condition said neuromuscular disorder, then had random hospitalisations with childhood bugs i.e vomitting, at 8 again for repeated tests to REconfirm said neuromuscular disorder, and again at 11 for SURGERY this time on my foot where I was in 2 weeks, then overnight for a second operation a few weeks after, then again at 14 years for major spinal surgery for Scoliosis and lastly last August for heart tests which came back normal.

Am I suppost to list these hospitalisations like above (but more spread out lol) or just a quick sentance to say I had hospitalisations related to neuromuscular disorder OR do I just write out the surgeries and NOT mention the test admittions etc?

3. Should I be mentioning my Neuromuscular Disorder on this addition sheet to the questionaire despite no questions on it that may account for a "yes" to add additional details to? Does the doctor just take the questionaire and go by that or does he/she ask for more info in the exam where I have the oppertunity to explain my condition? I do not wish them to get a shock if it is not mentioned prior but then again there is no question really to state "Yes" I have that i.e like the lung disease question.

4. There is one question about if you have any impairments in self-care, BUT it's examples are that of i.e learning difficulties. I am totally reliant on carers for i.e dressing, bathing, getting up, going to bed because of physical difficulties related to said neuromuscular disorder. I am sure to answer YES but again on the additional sheet should I state the reason why I have the impairment in self-care or actually list what the impairments are? Or both? It isn't clear to me.

5. I have an appointment August 5th for a thorough eye exam at the eye hospital which may or maynot give me a confirmed diagnosis of Glaucoma, my medical is August 9th which gives me no time to write for a confirmation letter from the eye doctor ABOUT the vision issues. Plus there is the chance I will not know any results till AFTER the medical takes place. So do I mention this current issue or not?

I have supporting letters from 7 specialists, my drug prescription slip and a factsheet on my neuromuscular disorder. But as you can see I am very confused about how much to explain in the questionaire when I have most of the information on other papers for evidence if needed. And lastly;

6. Do I hand the supporting letters and factsheet over with the questionaire and "additional info sheet" to them when they ask for the questionaire or wait till I get to see the medical doctor?

*Breaths out* Ok that was a mouthful, sorry it was so long. I'm just trying to break it down. Looking forward to any experiances/advice. Thank you very much for reading this.

It took 38 days for me Good Luck!

I was dying to go to starbucks on the trip to visit Andy last June but he kept me as far away from it as possible because of the expense lol! I'll go one day. I've always seen starbucks as like tourist coffee haven.

Just talked with Andrew, he agrees with you guys and my dad. So guess it's me just over-reacting lol.I wish their questions weren't so broad.

Hi,

I am a bit confused about one of the questions on the London Medical Questionaire that came with Pk3 months ago. My medical is on August 9th.

It says "Have you ever been hospitalised?" I said yes so it says at the bottom to give additional details.

So my dad interfering as he does constantly with any paperwork had me write just when I've been hospitalised for 3 surgeries. But I have been hospitalised other times such as for tests and minor illnesses. IMHO I would of listed them if he wasn't over my shoulder at the time dictating to me. I do not want to appear dishonest with the medical people as my medical case is complex by missing out other times I have been in hospital. But my father is in the mindset to just put the "major" things and don't mention the tests which lead to diagnosises etc. I think I'm going to rewrite the whole added sheet of paper while he's at work because he is REALLY stressing me out and getting in my face a bit too much. Bless him he's trying to help but it's like he's taking over completely. He even wrote my list of medications on the overside of the questionaire which I've had to cross out the dose because he's put them all WRONG. He apparently wrote it off an old prescription paper. He didn't even have to write the dose, it just says to list the meds. Plus he did it without telling me.

As you see currently having massive control issues with this visa and dad. Dad has never delt with my care, knows my routine, meds or keeps track of when I was last in hospital.

Do you think it's important to list EVERY hospitalisation including tests (that lead to diagnosises) and minor illnesses ASWELL as surgeries? Or is it ME thats going overboard? I just don't want them to find out something I have not mentioned.

eek tried to update the list myself but gonna leave it to the pros lol ....

Hiya,

Got the medical arranged for the same date as interview 9th August .... at 2:30pm

Good luck to all the July interview couples!

Thanks everyone for your informative replies. I'm starting to build an understanding now We're "on the ball" now looking over how we're going to deal with this and have been looking into health insurance companies.

First we looked at the BlueCross CA which looks great with the individule plans though I did get a tad confused about what copay and deducutions meant. They cover every area and are by our budget. $200 is the max a month we can afford to go towards this unless Andy took out a loan. BUT the site doesn't say if it excludes pre-existing medical conditions. I like the part of choosing your own specialist thats great and the drug coverage (main concern) can near be 100% helped with. So I tried to email the BlueCross but for some reason the page just went to that "try to refresh" #######. Does anybody have an email address for enquires for them? It also doesn't say the age requirement for applying.

Secondly I tried looking at a company called Kaiser (sp?) which Andy mentioned but that went out the window as there minimum age requirement is 19.

I've heard the BlueCross getting mentioned a while back by somebody so I did a search of VJ but couldn't find the thread. Does anybody know anything about them or have any experiances?

Also I have a really dumb question When you exceed the amount of the coverage say by being admitted to hospital do they inform you? Or do you get a rude awakening and maybe a doctor ends up telling you can't get anymore treatment cos your coverage won't cover it. How does that work? Or do you get told what amounts you pay towards this and that i.e 10% for prescription drug, in advance to going ahead with anything medical?

And in answer to your question Jen, yes Andrew but we're unsure whether I'll be able to "hop on."

Am I right in thinking I cannot obtain health insurance in the US until I get a SSN?

Heh after all this time I end up finding out the Interview date here anywho this so kicks ###!!!

~Andrew~

I Voted Pro-Life and my fiance is also.

We believe like some before us that abortion is murder. We also believe a life, is a life...is a life nomatter what. I once read this horrible article on the news about a mother aborting a baby because it had a cleft lip and palate which would take a mere operation to fix but instead she aborted that baby...and past the regularly advised date to abort by too. I have also read cases of mothers being told their child has a terminal illness and advised to abort where the parents refused and the child was HEALTHY. Doctors aren't always right. Personally I would never abort my own baby even if in that situation the child did end up with a medical condition we'd give it the best life possible, over death.

Hey Folks,

Moving from being under the NHS to the US way of managing health is going to be tricky to get to grips with the change and what's different and what isn't.

Here's a bit of background before I dive into my questions.

I have been under 5 specialists which grew in numbers over the years. But thankfully I have been discharged from everyone of them because of the move to Adult Services. Now I just see ONE consultant every 6 months (unless something happens) and GP once a month or so for minor issues. I am on 6+ medications that I need a constant supply of.

Now here's my questions. When/If I'm approved how do I actually go about arranging to go under a doctor in Andys area? I know really stupid question but the NHS has normally just refered me on throughout my life, I logically assume I'm going to arrange this myself. There is a consultant in the US (Andys consultant) who has said he is willing to take me on. But how do I actually arrange that? He has not said it in writing or anything but has said it to Andy. Also how do you go about getting yourself a GP? I assume similar way to getting a specialist. I would need ot arrange these things prior to my moving or else I am making a huge health risk. I can order 3 month supply of all my medications from the NHS before I go but here's another thing, how do you actually get your prescriptions moved so you can obtain them in the US? I *think* (again bit confused by how the US health system works) I'm going to have to get like long term health insurance, till I get my greencard or become a citizen maybe? Can anyone recommend any good companies that may take *complex cases.* And one last thing, how do you go about getting medical records shipped to the new consultant/GP from the UK to US?

I would just like an overview of how you go about these things. Perhaps somebody who has moved from the UK-US can tell me how they went about some of these things?

Fiona

Thanks for updating the list Lina. Currently trying to arrange the Medical and transport, I'm having to ask the Embassy if we can get the "OK" to book an afternoon Medical cos the transport company will just about be able to get me there intime for the interview. So the medical is a bit up the air. Fingers crossed that the embassy say it's ok. I also emailed the Alliance Medical Imaging Center to check if they actually do medicals in the afternoons.

Level us up guys interview date Aug 9th 10:00am Packet 4 recieved today 4th July!!!! a year to date since I last held Andy and we get our date

I'm gonna go cry now got packet 4 with interview this mornin' TY SO MUCH VISAJOURNEY, we couldn't of gotten this far without you guys....

Edit: Whoops was so excited I put 10:10am it's 10:00am! Titles wrong

I'm really considering using BA when the visa gets through to return to Andy. I just would like to know peoples experiances with that airline. How was YOUR flights with BA?

Theres been alot of "red flag" threads recently which have ruffled a few feathers here at VJ, possibly yours just looks the same to some. I am a firm believer in the past is in the past and if you're SURE about this intention to marry. Congratulations and I wish you all the best. It isn't easy for anybody to consider marriage to somebody who has had quite a troubled history, I totally respect that you can put this thing with her rushed past marriage behind you and move on fresh and consider starting a new life together.

There are guides at the top of the page which gives you a description and details of both K-1 and K-3 processes. I personally say in your situation to go for the K-1, reason being you won't be rushing into marriage for at least 6 months when the visa is approved which gives you more time to get to know each other and make the right decision. A K-3 you apply for after marriage which then if you two decide it doesn't work you'd end up with another divorse on your hands. It's upto you, but remember either way isn't going to be easy and the waiting process will test your relationship to the max.

Omg thank you so much! Now to make a budget....they have everything! .... tempted at buying him a scottish baseball cap too.....poor Andy going around in CA USA with that on.... but I know he'd be proud even if he would get funny looks.

Hey, not often I'm in Off Topic but lol..I need some help.

I'd like to send Andy some traditional scottish sweeties/snacks particularly the sweet known as "Tablet" and perhaps some traditional Short Bread. BUT we don't live in Scotland anymore and my Grandma who usually sends us some has moved WAYYY down south. I miss these snacks myself and would love to share it with my sweetheart so he can grasp a taste of my culture too.... as he probably won't ever be able to come to the UK. Does anyone know a reliable website I could buy these things on? Plus I've never sent food to him before except Blackpool Rock, will it be ok or will customs take it? How long can these sorts of food stay "ok" to eat when a package sometimes takes upto 2 weeks to get to California from here?

Fiona

What 28 day processing?

After you send back the checklist for the K-1 they say (in my case by email after inquiring if they recieved it) that there is a 28 day processing. I wanted to know should I expect it on the 28th day from the date I sent it or do they mean to expect the interview letter sometime after the 28 day processing. Does that make more sense? Sorry for the confusion.

So by the 28th day or sometime after?

*Guilty expression* My apologises I wanted to give her the benifit of the doubt. But after the PM wasn't gonna happen saw what you all were seeing.

Fiona