... But before that, if you haven't read yet the previous part of this blog, CLICK the link below for PART 1:
http://iamdhazzel.blogspot.com/2014/04/my-medical-exam-experience-at-slec.html
MY MEDICAL EXAM EXPERIENCE AT SLECPART 2
....While sitting, I was still can’t stop crying. I sent messages to my husband telling the bad news... and he was frustrated too! :(
My husband was very upset and mad at St.Lukes after hearing the bad news. Yes, I was frustrated and upset but not really mad, just disappointed because the St. Lukes doesn't recognized the last X-ray and medical records I submitted to them. After a long cry, I told my husband not to get mad and just accept the fact that I need to undergo sputum tests...
Do you think I failed my medical exam at St. Lukes???... oh NO!... not yet!
My husband told me, he was so sad about the delay because that means we will missed to celebrate together our first year anniversary as being husband and wife. I said to him, I felt the same way but I have no choice but to follow the rules.
I don't understand why God let these things happen but I trust His will because I know His plans are always for the best. There's a reason for this delay, I am sure.
In the morning, I received a message from my husband saying he was going to visit me. I was so happy! It was unexpected... YAHOO... I was very excited :)
MY 3 DAYS SPUTUM TESTS EXPERIENCEDAY 1
As instructed, I need to go to St. Lukes around 6:00-8:00 A.M. for 3 days with empty stomach. Strictly NO BREAKFAST, NO LIPSTICK! But allowed to drink water and of course can eat breakfast after the sputum collection.
I arrived at St. Lukes around 6:30 AM. I approached the guard and give him the yellow paper but he didn't get it instead the guard direct me to go on the left side of the building. There's a guard standing wearing a mask and asked me if I was for sputum. I said yes, then he gave me a mask and number then instructed to have a seat and wait for awhile. I am not alone there, we are 5 sitting on the chair. After a few minutes the guard said to follow him. We got inside the ground floor using the back door and got inside the big elevator (we are all wearing mask) We dropped off first at 4th floor where many others are waiting for their number to be called. My number was 45 and I waited half an hour to be called.
When its my turned, We got inside elevator again and headed to the roof top of the building. There are many applicants sitting inside the cubicle trying to cough hard to get their phlegm. The attendant started calling out numbers again, and when its my turn she asked my name then handed me a container with my name written on it.
She instructed me to go inside the cubicle but before that she gave me water to gurgle first. (I brought an empty bottle) I need to cough deeply to spit a phlegm but it was so hard. I felt vomiting when I was trying to force myself to cough though I actually don't have cough. One more thing, hearing and seeing those other applicants coughing added a bad feeling to me. My throat was all sore. I was worried when I looked at my container there was a blood on it. The attendant came on my cubicle and checked if i am splitting saliva or phlegm then after awhile she said that I was done. She also said to come back next day at the same time.
DAY 2
The SAME procedure was happening on my second day. Good thing I had cold that day. It was so easy to get my phlegm. And I checked on it, no blood. I was so REALLY happy. ^_____*
DAY 3
I got up early and the same procedure was happening on my third day. I had a cold still that day. It took just a 5 minutes to get my phlegm. Of course no blood. I felt great that day!
After the third sputum, the attendant gave me a piece of paper with the time and date to go back for the result. She instructed me to go back in the given time at 2nd floor, Pulmonary Evaluation. (after 5 days)
In a few days after my sputum tests, My husband has arrived in the Philippines. I am not going to be detailed about his visit but I was so very happy of course.
February 05, 2014 was the given date to me to go back at St. Lukes for the result of my sputum tests. I went there together with my husband. The guard wasn't allowed him to enter inside. I was so disappointed. But I talked to the one guy and told about the condition of my husband. I said to him, he can't stay outside because he was so weak. They let him inside but not allowed to go with me on the 2nd floor. That was fine.
I waited for hours before my number was being called. The doctor explained and showed me my Chest X-ray result. She said they saw some abnormalities that's why I undergone sputum tests. She told me that my 3 sputum tests are all negative. Hooray! I was so happy hearing it. But, she also told me that they will need to culture it for 2 months. She asked about my medical records, I showed it to her but she didn't accept it. The Doctor requested another medical records with the format she gave me. She said that I could send it via courier.
Before leaving the building, the attendant gave me a piece of paper with the date and time to call them for the result. She said if there was NO call from them that means the medical was fine.
Almost everyday I felt nervous every time my phone rang I was so tense and was so worried. I kept checking my phone if there was a missed call. My friend at Facebook told me that I could make a call a day or two before the given date. (her name was Cherryl Ontoc). 7 weeks and 3 days I called the St. Lukes, I felt my heart was beating so fast. There was no answer. The line was so busy. I tried many times until I got to talked to the staff of St. Lukes. I asked her if my medical result was ready. She asked for my PDS number first then mentioned my surname. After awhile she said, For immunization. She gave me a date to go back and instructed me to bring my passport, visa size photos and payment for pregnancy test. (Payment of 450 PESOS)
"MY IMMUNIZATION"
APRIL 02, 2014. I got up early and so excited to go back at St. Lukes. I gave my receipt to the guard at the entrance. He stamped the back of my hand and instructed me to go to the room N. I was wondering why, because I was expecting to go to 2nd floor because the staff told me I am for immunization. I was so nervous and was trying to be positive. I gave my receipt to the lady at the room N. She said to wait outside. A few minutes she called my name and instructed me to go to 2nd floor. I was so relieved.
I waited for hours again before my name was called. The doctor instructed me to go to 5th floor to pay the pregnancy test at the cashier (amount of 450 pesos) and go to 4th floor to repeat the urine test. After that I need to go back to 2nd floor. I waited again for my name to be called. After one hour, my name was called to go to Immunization room. Inside the Immunization room, there was a crying 8 years old boy. He doesn't want to have vaccinations. When I saw the injections I was so really tensed.
The guy nurse called me and asked some questions. Then he said I will getting 3 shots. When he was about to give me a shot, my file was appeared pending. OH MY! I thought to myself... This can't be! I was so really nervous! Then the guy nurse made a phone call. After a few minutes he got back to me and said to relax. Then he gave me 3 shots. Ouch...It was so painful! But I was so happy because I was done my vaccinations. The nurse instructed me to go to the ground floor at the releasing counter. Yehey! That means I PASSED MY MEDICAL!!!The staff at the counter A called my name and asked me to sign the documents after that he said to me to wait again. Another long wait. At last the the staff at the counter B called me and gave me the CD of my medical with the vaccinations shots list. He told me to go at counter D for the new schedule of my interview. I asked him if I am allowed to make a schedule appointment of my own. He said yes, but asked me, are you really sure? I was undecided so I asked him the available dates and asked again if he could wait for awhile because I would want to ask my husband about it. He said okay. My husband said to me to grab the date. Then after that I was proceed to counter D. My interview date, is May 8, 2014.
ADDITIONAL INFO:
MEDICAL EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS
- Physical Examination - Required for all applicants, regardless of age
- Tuberculin Skin Test - Required for applicants 2-14 years of age
- Chest X-ray (CXR) - Required for all adult applicants aged 15 and above, or children who had exposure to TB Cases or history of TB disease
- Syphilis Test - Required for applicants 15 years old and above
Important Reminders
- All visa applicants 15 years old and above, male or female, are required to have chest x-ray to immigrate. Pregnant women will have proper shielding as a precautionary measure of radiation hazards. Pregnant applicants may have an option to defer medical examination including chest x-ray until delivery.
MEDICAL EXAMINATION FEES
| Age | Price |
|---|---|
| 15 years and older | PhP 16,042.50 |
| less than 15 years old | PhP 8,600.00 |
- The Medical Examination fee is inclusive of vaccines.
- Inter-specialty consultations within the clinic (adult cardiology, adult infectious diseases, adult and pediatric pulmonology, adult and pediatric radiology, pediatric allergology, general pediatrics, general surgery, OBGYN, ENT, gastroenterology, oncology, endocrinology, nephrology, hematology, rheumatology and pathology) are performed free of charge. However, psychiatric evaluations shall be charged separately, with expenses to be paid by the applicant.
- Referrals to sub-specialty clinics outside of St. Luke's Extension Clinic (e.g. neuro-developmental pediatrician, psychologist, dermatologist, interventional cardiologist and radiologist, ophthalmologist, etc.) shall be charged separately, with expenses to be paid by the applicant.
- St. Luke's Medical Center Extension Clinic does not accept cheque or credit card payments.
**********THE END*********
BUT Don't worry, I will write again about my interview experience for CR-1 Visa Category at Us Embassy soon :)
