November 19, 2008 04:43 pm
Hemodialysis machine stolenLynne Neveu
Hallie Rock is puzzled as to why someone would steal her hemodialysis machine from her porch.
According to Capt. Randy Dickerson, Stillwater Police Department public information officer, the machine appears to have been stolen from Rock’s residence in the 800 block of South Rock Hollow Court between 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Friday. At this time, there are no suspects.
Rock said the machine was delivered Friday by FedEx, but she needed to wait for assistance to bring it into her home, because of the fragility of the machine’s components. The box is about 3 feet square and weighs close to 50 pounds.
“I know people who go out without locking their doors,” Rock said. “I’ve always considered Stillwater such a low crime area and this surprises me.”
Rock said it is safe to say the suspect didn’t know what they were taking. The newly-delivered machine was a replacement for her current machine, which had stopped working. She must undergo hemodialysis every night.
“I am fortunate because the part I was sent seemed to get my current machine back on line,” Rock said. “Otherwise, I have supplies to perform manual dialysis.”
Dr. Jeremy Pinzaz, an Oklahoma City nephrologist, said because it is long and frequent, nocturnal, or daily, hemodialysis can offer a very high dose of dialysis to the patient. When it comes to toxins like urea, NHHD can offer results as effective as normal kidneys.
“Conventional hemodialysis is like riding a Volkswagen on a dirt road, while nocturnal hemodialysis is like riding a Rolls on a freshly paved surface,” he said.
“People don’t realize the impact they have,” Rock said. “For me, it’s not simply a matter of inconvenience, it’s a matter of life.”
Dickerson said the suspect would be facing charges of grand larceny because of the monetary value of the machine.
http://www.stillwater-newspress.com/local/local_story_324164341.html
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