hey

I had a similar situation; but mine was f1 visa to f2 status. I went out of the country with F1 visa and while returning, at the port of entry, I showed them my F1 visa ( permission to enter the country ), and I told them that I had f2 status apporved by the USCIS; so I need F2 status (so I don't need to go to school). So they made me fill visa waiver form, and pay $260.00 fee and let me in as F2 with valid F1 visa in my passport. Note: I was never out of status, and my status was changed from F1 student to F2 dependent of student BEFORE I left the country (USA). So I basically entered USA as F2 with F1 visa, not an F2 visa like yours.

I think you should be able to come to the US port of entry with a valid US visa from anywhere in the world. So if you make it that far, there must be a way, with the USCIS, to let you in with valid status.  questions? email me bizfriend@gmail.com