terps76

Yes Jo ..no fun at all there ..whew im glad its over!! I drop my papers in the releasing counter at 5:am and they called my name at 2:40 for vaccination and wait another 21/2 hour before they release my paper and give my x-ray result! :

My son had to do another x-ray 5x different position and taht means expose himself to the radiation .they do that to make sure what is ''suspicious abnormalities''that they saw before..and Thanks God everything is clear and they even told my son Ok your a ''very healthy boy u can go to USA '' ,W e start Robin's paper at 8 and were done at 5:30!!

Im just glad its over and I thank God for that!Thanks for your prayers Jo..

Glad to see familiar faces from VJ and WOF members!They are all so nice and sweet!

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I am glad to know that although it took a while, your medical exam has been finally finished.

I would like to share some information so that others will understand how we come up with ancillary procedures before making a diagnosis. I have been seeing several people saying "suspicious abnormalities" are seen in their chest X-rays. It is a standard procedure that once this has been seen several films should be taken in different positions to confirm that the suspicious abnormality are not the active form of PTB. A radiologist will report something suspicious if some haziness(whiteness) is seen especially in the upper lobes of the lungs. If in the additional films taken the whiteness or haziness is still visualized by the radiologist, he then can make a diagnosis based on Chest Xray as PTB. If your son had that(TB) before and has been treated, a scar in the lung may be seen. Hence additional films are again necessary but the findings will say something like "no significant chest findings" rather than a "normal chest finding" . You need not worry about radiation since most of the tertiary hospital now especially here in Manila uses a better machine unlike the older manual type which has increase scatter radiation. It is not true anymore that only 3 chest X-rays are allowed per person in a year.

It is a different story if a person has a cough with a "suspicious findings" seen in chest Xray, this would require several other test like sputum exam and skin test. If it turns out that the other tests are negative, then the patient may have acquired pneumonia which can treated by antibiotics and with a repeat chest X-ray suspicious findings will no longer be seen. But of course you still have to see your doctor so they can examine you for your other presenting symptoms and consider another diagnosis. If it turns positive then triple anti-Kochs(TB) medications should be initiated immediately.

Good luck as you in the rest of your journey!

God bless!

Beat my score lol - 140

http://www.123games.dk/game/other/peanut/peanut_eng.php

Enjoy!

Thanks again. :dance:

I got 400!

You have scored :13/20

http://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=12811

I enjoyed it got 14/20. Thanks.

Our son was allowed to enter the US without question despite having a clear positive on his skin test. In fact, no one in either agency (DOS or USCIS) said one word about it through the entire process and he now has his 2 year green card. What is even more disturbing is the fact that we wouldn't even know there was a problem if I hadn't, out of curiosity alone, questioned the results of the skin test myself (I'm the USC wife/stepmom).

I just happen to work for a public health agency, so as soon as he arrived here in the US, we followed the recommendations of our public health medical director, which was to get a chest xray (clear) and then start Isoniazid daily for 9 months. That was what was recommended for his specific age and history (vaccinated as a newborn with BCG). Your treatment may be different.

I think those who have suggested checking with a doctor in your area are correct. You may want to start at your local health department, if you have one. TB is of public health significance - which is why it is part of the immigration process - and they may have a system in place to help you at the lowest cost. I agree, you should begin treatment as soon as possible and continue until you are completely finished. It is my understanding that completing the recommended course of medication can result in a far lower chance of developing full-blown TB later in life.

Keep any and all documentation associated with whatever action you decide to take. If you test positive at your medical exam, you can show them that you are taking appropriate action.

Best wishes!

Maya

Just to make a comment about the positive skin test of Maya's step child. A positive skin test means that a person was exposed to TB( meaning one of the adults that the child live with has the disease ) and does not mean a treatment should be initiated unless there are signs and symptoms. Since not all children will have a positive result for chest X-ray( especially babies and toddlers) even if they have a disease, the childs presentation with a positive skint test are more more reliable. The positive result of a skin test is expected because pulmonary TB is common here and it only means that he was exposed to a person who has it and does not necessarily mean that your child has the disease. However to prevent development of the disease process, if the child is continuously expose to a household member with TB, treatment here in the Philippines for a child with exposure are Isoniazid and Rifampicin for 6 months with a repeat skin test at 3 months. Children are the ones usually infected when exposed to an adult who has TB but they(child) is not infectious. If there is an exposure and your child does not have signs and symptoms and you will not be staying in a household with positive for TB then its upon the discretion of your physician to start treatment. Treatment in the USA and Philippines will be different because it is not common there as it is here, therapy here is more aggressive.

I agree with ELW about the treatment for TB.

Here in the Philippines where TB is prevalent, we diagnose patients based on the signs and symptoms, Chest X-ray and skin test(matoux test). The triple therapy of anti-Kochs medication should be started immediately and we advised patient on the expected side effects of these drugs. It is not true however that the treatment can only be acquired at certain hospital where the patient has to go there every morning. That was a project of the government only for the "indigent patient" so that they will comply with treatment. The medicines should be taken continuously for 6-9 months to avoid resistance, however at 3-4 months after initiation of therapy you should follow-up with your physician to check if your responding with the treatment as will be seen by a clear chest X-ray. If Chest X-ray remains positive then an additional drug(quadruple therapy) will be given and will be continued for 9 months.

Anthony Julie, just be compliant with the treatment regimen and start it immediately so that when your interview comes your chest X-ray will be clear or may it show fibrotic tissues(scar) which is a sign that you are healed.

Our son was allowed to enter the US without question despite having a clear positive on his skin test. In fact, no one in either agency (DOS or USCIS) said one word about it through the entire process and he now has his 2 year green card. What is even more disturbing is the fact that we wouldn't even know there was a problem if I hadn't, out of curiosity alone, questioned the results of the skin test myself (I'm the USC wife/stepmom).

I just happen to work for a public health agency, so as soon as he arrived here in the US, we followed the recommendations of our public health medical director, which was to get a chest xray (clear) and then start Isoniazid daily for 9 months. That was what was recommended for his specific age and history (vaccinated as a newborn with BCG). Your treatment may be different.

I think those who have suggested checking with a doctor in your area are correct. You may want to start at your local health department, if you have one. TB is of public health significance - which is why it is part of the immigration process - and they may have a system in place to help you at the lowest cost. I agree, you should begin treatment as soon as possible and continue until you are completely finished. It is my understanding that completing the recommended course of medication can result in a far lower chance of developing full-blown TB later in life.

Keep any and all documentation associated with whatever action you decide to take. If you test positive at your medical exam, you can show them that you are taking appropriate action.

Best wishes!

Maya

I agree with ELW about the treatment for TB. Here in the Philippines where TB is prevalent, we diagnose patients based on the signs and symptoms, Chest X-ray and skin test(matoux test). The triple therapy of anti-Kochs medication should be started immediately and we advised patient on the expected side effects of these drugs. It is not true however that the treatment can only be acquired at certain hospital where the patient has to go there every morning. That was a project of the government only for the "indigent patient" so that they will comply with treatment. The medicines should be taken continuously for 6-9 months to avoid resistance, however at 3-4 months after initiation of therapy you should follow-up with your physician to check if your responding with the treatment as will be seen by a clear chest X-ray. If Chest X-ray remains positive then an additional drug(quadruple therapy) will be given and will be continued for 9 months.

Just to make a comment about the positive skin test of Maya's step child. A positive skin test means that a person was exposed to TB and does not mean a treatment should be initiated unless there are signs and symptoms. Since not all children will have a positive result for chest X-ray even if they have a disease, the childs presentation with a positive skint test are more more reliable. The positive result of a skin test should not be disturbing and is expected because as I have said pulmonary TB is common here and it only means that he was exposed to a person who has it and does not necessarily mean that your child has the disease. Having said that, there is no reason for anybody to question or prevent your step child from entering USA.

Helloooooooo Everyone,

I hope everyone is off to a great new year. Has anyone found out the reason for no interviews the first half of March ? I was just curious.

I know my baby's interview is coming soon and it will come fast.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!

Smiles to you all

Dave

Going by the timeline, those who got their case completed in November for CR/IR are hoping to be scheduled for the 1st half of March.

I hope we hear something from them(NVC) soon. Good luck to all.

.

So what visa are you in now? are you currently in the US? So your plan is to take a job as a Pharmacist to get a Working Visa... but arent your papers gonna be approved soon?

I am here in Manila right now, we are on CR/IR visa. The interview is coming(hopefully) thats why I am studying at the moment to be a pharmacist since the process for the USMLE is longer than NAPLEX. So, I can take the exam for pharma either on June or Dec. Perhaps later on when we are settled already then thats the time I might pursue a career as MD.

Hi. I know. Thats why I am gonna urge her to take the step 3 for an H1B visa. I just want to be with her during residency Your Visa Journey is quite interesting. Hope i could ask a few questions. Is your hubby a LPR or a USC? I noticed you got your papers complete in about a year. How long a wait do you still have for an interview?

My husband is a USC. Going by the timeline for CR/IR, we are expecting our interview by march since we got our case completed in Nov. We are hoping to know the sched before January ends thats why i keep calling NVC.

Good luck to both of you.

:dance:

Congratulations BiaNcaShey! Have a happy life together.

It keeps my hopes up to know that somebody from the CR/IR got approved. Hope we get our interview schedule this week.

Good luck!

Hi! I just want to share experiences of my friends for medical residency. 5 of them went there to finish the last step of the USMLE and they all passed, most with flying colors. However, none of them is a green card holder or a citizen thus its been years and they still haven't been matched for any hospital. Although they say if you don't have a preference field of specialty you wouldn't have a problem. One of them went back here in Manila to start her residency training cause after 3 years she wasn't matched.

That was my problem too I cant decide what career path to choose(doctor or pharmacist) since I am on a CR/IR visa, I dont want to waste more time and do the USMLE and not be matched.

Anyways, I just want to share this so your girlfriend will think of the field she wants to specialize in or perhaps another option while she is waiting for her citizenship. My friends from med school are working as nurses right now while they wait for their green card, as for me, I will take the Pharmacy liscensure exam (NAPLEX and FPGEE) until my citizenship comes.

Good luck.

My husband and I love Starbucks Caramel Machiatto Decaf upside down with extra caramel drizzle at the bottom. They used to have Creme Brulee during Xmas season here in Manila, they didnt have it this year. That taste great too.

Good Day Fellow VJers!!

Jennie completed her medical exam 1/17-18 this week and everything looks great. During the immunization she was told that SLEC does not give the TD (Tetanus/Diphtheria) vaccine and she would have to get it when she gets to the US. I am guessing that this vaccine is necessary for AOS, correct?

I asked my physician here about that vaccine and whether the vaccine can be given during pregnancy. I was told "ABSOLUTELY NOT". The only time a doctor would give that to a pregnant woman is when she cuts herself...say with a rusty nail...and there is the risk of infection.

So my question is....

What if she gets pregnant right away upon entering the US and is unable to get the vaccine for AOS? Will they still approve AOS based on this? Any thoughts or experiences on this?

Thank you.

Michael

HI Mike and Jennie! It is safe to give the TD even when she gets pregnant, it is usually given on the 3rd trimester approximately two weeks before giving birth so as to transfer the antibodies from the mother to the fetus providing protection for the baby. In fact it is advised here by obstetrician to prevent greater risk of consequences if not given as a preventive measure during pregnancy. So if she gets pregnant right away, i think you can ask your obstetrician to provide a letter to assure that the vaccine will be given on the appropriate time. Here are some links to guide u....hope this helps.

http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/heal...58&src=news

http://health.discovery.com/centers/pregna...ccinations.html

http://www.drspock.com/article/0,1510,10398,00.html

Thanks Lily,

Lorna said that her text msg to my yahoo(pc) is 2.5p charged to her load. She also said that there is no charge to her load for me to text her.

I don't have a cell. I just use yahoo messenger to text her.

So all is good. And I found out tonight that the reason we are runnning out of load so fast was because she is CALLING her 2 brothers alot which is real expensive.

Take care,

Mike

----------------------------------------------------

"Hi Mike

Your txt from Yahoo messenger - charge to her load - Php 2.50

Her reply to your Yahoo messenger - charge to her load - Php 2.50

Her txt to your Celphone from PI (Globe/Smart) - Php 15.00 so total of 20 txt for 300 pesos load/ 20 txt per $6.00

Lily"

There is no charge upon receiving sms(text messages) from abroad to philippines. Using Smart communications yahoo messenger charges 2.5php/text, you can log thru 62580.

The cheapest way to send,as my hubby w1n78 says, is Sun Cellular Companys' unlimited text messaging using msn,yahoo messenger, aol or icq which is 20php/day, 100php/wk or 300/month.

Good luck on your interview!

Congratulations! Cherish everyday a beginning of life with each other. God bless.

Good luck to Glen and Rose in your interview.

Hi Everyone- Well its getting close to the interview. I dont know whos more nervous-Myself or Marie But anyway-I was hoping someone might be able to tell me a good place for Marie to stay at for the interview and medical exam. The total time will be about 2 weeks I think but depends on how long it will take for the Visa to be issued. She insists it doesnt have to be anything real nice, just so its clean and has cable television and a shower. Something kinda cose to embassy also-she is worried about getting caught in traffic. Thanks Ahead of time- Gary

If u want the closest and you need not worry about the traffic, then i suggest Bay View Hotel which is across the Embassy. My husband and I stayed there in May and we paid around $70/day. The room is okay and clean.

The five-star hotels are the expensive ones which includes Manila Diamond Hotel, New Hyatt Hotel, Pan Pacific (room, food, service and security are great are better as expected than the others) . Manila Pavilion is 4-star hotel and i like the food breakfast too. While Bay view is 3-star, it is nearest the embassy so very convinient but i dont like their room including their bathroom.