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IRONY: LOCAL MARINE SAVES CORPSMAN BROTHER'S LIFE By Cpl. Cindy Fisher IRONY: LOCAL MARINE SAVES CORPSMAN BROTHER'S LIFE 01/05/1999 05:15:00 PM Dec 3 19 MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (Dec 3) -- All his life, Sgt. James Petaller has taken care of his two younger brothers. He even gave one of them a kidney, thereby forfeiting his option to stay in the Marine Corps. Before I went i

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (Dec 3) -- All his life, Sgt. James Petaller has taken care of his two younger brothers. He even gave one of them a kidney, thereby forfeiting his option to stay in the Marine Corps.
Before I went into surgery, I had to sign a Page 11 entry saying I wasnt eligible to re-enlist, Petaller said.
A native of the Philippines, Petaller joined the Marine Corps in January 1993 six months after his family moved to New York City.
When I first came here, I was just an immigrant. Now Im an American citizen. By joining the Corps, I feel like Ive contributed to my adopted country, said Petaller, 24.
He was away from his family for the first time when he joined the Corps and reported here, he said.
His youngest brother, Charlemagne Petaller, subsequently joined the Navy. He was trained as a corpsman and stationed at Pendletons 13 Area Branch Clinic.
In early 1998, Charlemagne began having medical problems. A physical examination revealed high contaminant levels in his blood stream, causing both kidneys to shut down, James said.
He had to endure dialysis. Three days a week, a machine removed his blood, cleaned it and returned it to his body. A kidney transplant was his only option. Doctors told him he could be on dialysis for three years waiting for one. His best bet would be a family member who shared the same genes.
I talked with my parents and brothers about donating my kidney, Petaller said. My mom wanted to be the donor, but she wasnt as compatible as me. I was the best candidate in the family, in the best health.
It was a hard decision. I wasnt being selfish. I was concerned about my health. I was worried about complications. Weve never had a disorder like this in the family, but what if my remaining kidney failed, too?
He had other concerns like job security after he left the Corps.
On the positive side, the operation would extend his brothers life. His brother would be off dialysis and lead a more normal life.
By going through with the operation, I could give him his life back. Hes my moms baby and I have to look after him, Petaller said. In the end it came to this, my brother needed a kidney and I had one to give.
After this, I probably shouldnt have to give him a birthday or Christmas present for at least the next 10 years, Petaller added with a chuckle.
It was an incredibly heroic act, because he is giving up his military career and possibly his lifestyle to save his brother, said MSgt Theodore Skierkiewicz, Petallers maintenance chief at Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 267.
The selflessness he showed is indicative of who he is and how he operates. He is your typical hero. He doesnt think he did anything out of the ordinary, just that it was the right thing to do.
I dont think doing this makes me a hero because it wasnt for someone I didnt know, Petaller said. I did it for my brother. Anyone would do the same thing for family.
The transplant took place at the University of California San Diego Thornton Hospital Sept. 30.
It was the only hospital in the area that could perform the operation, Petaller said.
Doctors had to cut out a rib to get to his left kidney.
I dont know if they flipped a coin or what to pick the left kidney, but thats where my 8-inch scar is. I remember talking to the doctors (in the operating room), then the next thing I know, everything started going black. When I woke up, I had a pain in my side.
Next, his kidney was connected to his brothers urinary track in a simpler operation, Petaller said. He was even up and walking before me.
Seaman Petaller was discharged from the Navy with disability and a pension. His body could reject his brothers kidney, or the kidney could develop the same problem, but as long as he takes his medication, those possibilities are slim, Petaller said. I pray to God that my kidney will work for him for the rest of his life.
The donors unit left for Okinawa while he was on convalescent leave. Before the transplant, he had extended for five months to go to Okinawa with his unit. He had plans to re-enlist and submit a package requesting a lateral move into the intelligence field. But now, Im trying to plan for a life after the Marine Corps.
His getting out is a loss to the Corps because hes one of those unique individuals who can act on his own initiative and get the job done, Skierkiewicz said.
When I was a lance corporal and a corporal, I used to say I cant wait until Im out, Petaller said. Now, at this point in my life, I know I am going to miss it. Ill never have an experience like the Marine Corps again.
He has applied for jobs with the Border Patrol and with a major airline, he said.
I still have to find out if my medical history will prevent me from working for either company.
Without complications from the surgery, he should be able to live a normal life, he said.
I just need to remember I only have one kidney, so I will probably lead a healthier lifestyle than before.
He wont receive any benefits in connection with the surgery; its considered elective.
Although the Marine Corps wont let him stay in, he cant complain, he said.
If my brother and I hadnt been in the military, we never could have paid for the transplant. The military has done something for us we can never repay.


Randy