Dear Indy,
Today our lead story comes from health reporter Mary Claire Molloy.
If you’re a female patient whose concerns have been dismissed or minimized by a medical provider, then you’ll want to keep reading.
Here’s how it begins:
Alissa Bobbitt felt like someone was ripping her heart out of her chest.
The 37-year-old woman from northeast Indianapolis was “pale as a ghost” when she arrived at her doctor’s office on Jan. 18, according to medical records shared with Mirror Indy. She had been vomiting and felt pain traveling down her arms. A provider at Fransiscan Health suggested it may have been an anxiety attack but ordered blood tests, just in case.
When the results of those tests came in later that day, though, Bobbitt learned that she may have experienced a heart attack. The provider told her to immediately seek care.
She drove herself to the Community Hospital North emergency room where, after more tests, doctors there said she was having constipation or heartburn. They discharged her and suggested she buy antacids.
“The patient looks well and has no cardiac risk factors,” a note in her file read.
Bobbitt, who was writhing in pain and needed morphine, saw her symptoms dismissed, over and over again. Doctors, she said, couldn’t look past her age, petite frame and lack of prior health problems. She wanted them to figure out what was truly wrong.
“I’ve had anxiety my whole life and I know what it feels like,” Bobbitt said. “This wasn’t an anxiety attack.”
Less than 24 hours later, Bobbitt started her day like any other. After the hustle and bustle of breakfast, she left her 3-year-old son with her husband and drove her 13-month-old to daycare.
But she struggled to pick up her son from his car seat. The crushing pain returned.
She made it inside the front entrance of the daycare and collapsed.
Three hours later, doctors rushed her into open heart surgery.
Continue reading the article here.
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In other news
- A slew of athletic upgrades are on the way for IPS as part of the district’s Rebuilding Stronger school reorganization. For seventh grader Rosemary Meek, the prospect of dedicated athletic fields has her excited. “It’s going to help us get ready for high school and meeting new friends,” Meek said.
- Whether it’s the mayor’s office, the Indiana General Assembly or some of the largest employers in our state, it seems like everyone has a strong opinion about what happens downtown. Well, now the people who actually live there are organizing to make sure they, too, have a voice in policy debates. “Downtown Indy’s still got its unique, vibrant, local area that’s really different than anywhere else in the world, which is why I just love downtown,” said Dennis Erpelding, a global food and trade policy consultant who is helping to spearhead the effort.
- If you’ve ever been curious about starting college, an April 16 event from Ivy Tech may be for you. Called “First Step to Finish Day,” Ivy Tech officials will help you understand your options for degrees and paying for college.
What’s going on around the city
- Friday, April 12: American Lives Theatre presents “A Case for the Existence of God” at 8 p.m. at the Phoenix Theatre Cultural Center, 705 N. Illinois St. Samuel D. Hunter’s play follows two men with very different lives who share “a specific kind of sadness.” Tickets start at $30.
- Saturday, April 13: Put on your walking shoes and explore the Old Northside Neighborhood with Indiana Landmarks, 1201 Central Ave. The guided tour kicks off at 9:30 a.m. and takes you through the history of the neighborhood, the architectural styles of the houses and buildings and the work that’s been done to preserve the neighborhood. Prices vary.
- Sunday, April 14: DJ Wrathchild will join yoga instructor Kati Black at 1 p.m. at Black Circle, 4545 Hillside Ave., for Doom Metal Yoga. The $25 ticket gets you into the beginner’s yoga class and a beverage of your choice.
— Breanna Cooper, arts and culture reporter
Looking for other things to do? Check out Mirror Indy’s events calendar.
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What else we’re reading today
- Indianapolis Business Journal: The no-turn-on-red back-and-forth between city officials and state lawmakers is leading to the removal of three signs near a parking lot used by lawmakers.
- Indiana Capital Chronicle: The IRS is testing a free way to file their federal tax returns electronically, but officials in some states — including Indiana — have asked the federal government to shut it down.
- Associated Press: More than half of the guns that were illegally trafficked in the U.S. over a five-year period came through unlicensed dealers who were not required to perform background checks.
Reflections
What I loved about Indy’s time in the sun — or out of the sun, I guess — was the feeling of a shared experience across the city. It didn’t matter if you were walking down a sidewalk, driving to White River or sitting in your yard — everywhere, all of us, were tuned in.
That’s also what I love about this new photo gallery from Mirror Indy staff and community members. In it, you can reexperience the solar eclipse throughout our city.
Ryan
P.S. If you liked something about today’s newsletter, or didn’t, let me know at ryan.martin@mirrorindy.org. It helps us serve you better.