Oak Lawn woman to donate kidney to sister-in-law

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Oak Lawn woman to donate kidney to sister-in-law

December 9, 2008
BY STEVE METSCH, Staff Writer

Jule Vail never questioned "why."

Her only question was "when."

Vail, 59, of Oak Lawn, will have one of her kidneys surgically removed today at the University of Chicago Medical Center and transplanted to her sister-in-law Cheryl Vail, 49, of Tinley Park.

Cheryl suffers from Lupus, an autoimmune disease that attacks the body and has left her kidneys inoperable for 15 months, forcing her to use a dialysis machine every night.

Tired of seeing Cheryl suffer, Jule offered her a kidney after testing determined she was a good match.

"This is what family does. She's just as much my sister as my sisters are," Jule said.

The women's husbands are brothers. Jule, who works in a doctor's office, is married to Bill. Cheryl, a nurse, is married to Jim.

"How many times in a lifetime do you get a chance to change somebody's life? This is my big opportunity, and I'm going for it," Jule said Monday while sitting on a sofa beside Cheryl at Cheryl's home.

Her voice choked with emotion, Cheryl said, "It's overwhelming what she's doing for me."

"She's giving me a chance to have a normal life. More time with my kids, my husband and, hopefully, my grandchildren. It's overwhelming. I think about it daily, and the thought is very humbling," Cheryl said.

Doctors told Jule in November that testing confirmed she was a good match for a transplant.

"When she told me, I had to grab a chair" to avoid falling over, Cheryl said.

Although doctors have cautioned Jule she "will feel like I was hit by a truck," she's never doubted her decision.

"I've had such a blessed life. I have a a wonderful husband, wonderful children, wonderful grandchildren, wonderful extended family. And I'd like her to be able to share in that. I'd like her to be able to see her sons get married, and to hold her grandchildren," Jule said.

Jule and Bill have two sons and four grandchildren. Cheryl and Jim have four sons.

"I'm sure everyone in our family who had the right blood type would have jumped at the chance as well. I just happened to be the first one tested," Jule said.

She and Cheryl both have Type O blood. Doctors have said Cheryl's new kidney will be functioning soon after the transplant, ending the need for dialysis to filter impurities from her blood.

Jule's been assured by doctors her life "really won't change."

"That's why I don't understand why people are hesitant" to be organ donors, Jule said.

Jule's surgery starts at 7:30 a.m. and should last around four hours. Near the end of Jule's surgery, Cheryl's surgery will start. It's expected to last three hours.

Their mother-in-law, Alice Vail, 80, of Homer Glen, is proud of Jule and Cheryl.

"My sons have good taste in women. The fact that they are a perfect match is a miracle.

Jule, who called it "a Christmas miracle," said she was destined to help Cheryl.

"We're both of northern European descent, we both married Vails, and we both have boys. What's not to match? People can say what they want, but I think it's divine intervention because so many things clicked into place," Jule said.

Steve Metsch can be contacted at smetsch@southtownstar.com or (708) 633-5996.

http://www.southtownstar.com/news/1320728,120908kidneywomen.article