def METHOD_NAME(self):
    if (self.processID == -1):
        raise RuntimeError("Trying to waitpid on nonexistant process")
    pid, status = os.waitpid( self.processID, os.WNOHANG )
    if ((pid == 0) and (status == 0)):
        # we're definately still running if this pops up
        return (True, True)
    else:
        # the child returned, get the status back from it
        # os.waitpid does dumb things to the exit code
        self.realstatus = ((0xFF00 & status) >> 8)
        self.realsignal = ((0x00FF & status))
        return (self.realstatus, self.realsignal)