OT: Advice needed , PLEASE!!

Ok, my neighbor down the street has been calling on me lately to take her different places, like to go p/up her and her father's meds (which I didn't mind) , last night she walked to my house and ask me to take her to a club in town I told her I would but I needed gas money as this has been the 3rd time this week she has called upon me to take her somewhere. I knew she is trying to get on disability for several medical conditions, which one she told me was her liver. Last night she said she has to go once a week to get a shot to help her liver, so I ask what exactly is wrong with your liver for you to have to take the shots and she replied Hepatitis C. I came home and looked it up and it says that it can be transmitted through blood/bodily functions, and it said when it flares up that you are contagious for 1 to 2 weeks. I am now iffy on where I should continue to take her places and I DO NOT know when she is having flare ups, etc. My hubby told me to tell her I could no longer taker her places, but I just don't know how, and it's not like I can hide my car so that It looks like I am at home, and she knows when my cars here I am here, WHAT DO I DO, and what's your take on it. ADVICE PLEASE!!!! Hugs, Melissa

Hi, Melissa, My brother in law had Hepatitis C. You are safe riding in a car with her. I might feel uncomfortable taking her to a club just because if she drinks, the alcohol can kill her. My BIL, Terry, eventually had a liver transplant, but kept drinking. He died at the age of 49. No one else in the family including his wife ever contracted the disease. I always kissed him (sister in law kisses) and never worried. Some of the ways it can be transmitted is by sharing bad needles, bad blood transfusions, and unprotected sex. Transporting someone is a big responsibility. One person can't do it all. Does your friend have a support group like a church to help? Have a frank conversation with her. Meds and groceries are often deliverable. She may want to check that out too. Hugs, Becky

*Hijack* Becky I love the new picture! Kia 284/195/155

Thank you, Sweetie!!! The Foto Fairy helped me out. We missed you tonight! Hugs, Becky

Hey Sweet Becky, It's glad to see you here once again, I really don't have a problem taking her to get her meds, I looked at it as I was doing a good deed, but the club well that was another story and won't happen again.When I took her to get her meds Wednesday, that was the 1st time she had called on me in 3 months so I thought, no biggie, then Thursday morning she called and said that there was one more med they didn't give her, so I told her when I went to pick up Presleigh at school I would take her to save a trip which I did, then last night was the club thing, that was another story...........she did give me $5 but with the gas prices they way they are I can't do that all the time. Hubby said to tell her that he didn't want me to put more miles than I have to on my car. Hugs, Melissa

Sounds like the perfect answer. Happy Anniversary, Melissa!!! I hope you and DH had a special day! We missed you tonight!!! Love ya' Becky

Sorry We couldn't make it, we had a wonderful time, instead of Dukes of hazzard we seen Wedding Crashers and OMG it was hilarious, and Olive Garden had a 45 min. wait so we went to Bugaboo Creek instead, we had a blast. He thinks if we can get DD to sleep he'll get some nookie, hehehe Love ya, Melissa

Melissa, You didn't mention that you were generally tired of transporting her, but it sounds to me like she is becoming something of a leech. You are blessed because your DH has given you a way out. He has said you are not to transport her -- he wants to protect you and not just from Hep C (and, no, you can't get it from the casual type of contact you have with her in a car -- unless she bleeds or throws up on you). I think you should tell her that your husband does not want you to transport her and leave it at that. If you really feel the burden to help her, AND your husband agrees, think hard about how many times, how far away, and where you are willing to take her. Maybe, you just want to pick up her meds once a week since you could do that while you are out anyway and she wouldn't have to go with you. Whatever you decide, inform her and then stick to your guns. I have spent years trying to be nice to people like your neighbor. Their needs and requirements of me became more and more until I reached a breaking point each time. I have finally realized that it is okay to have boundaries and to protect myself. You may already have these skills, but if you don't please consider working on them. You are worth it. Cris

Thanks Cris for the advice, I to think she maybe be using me in some way, but I felt I was doing a good deed to help take her to get her meds, but I WILL NOT take her to a club anylonger. She did pay me $5 but with the gas prices thats not much either. Hubby told me to tell her he didn't want me to put any more miles than I had to on the car. Thanks, Melissa

well it sounds to me like she is mooching off you. She needs to get a life, I would just tell her that with gas prices you can nolonger do it for her. You know she is trying to get fininacial help so she obviously doesnt have the money to pay you like she should, it sounds like too that she is kinda taking advantage of the situation. Tell her if you are headed to town you would not mind but you cannot go out of your way any more. I know its hare to say, but you have to do what is best for you and abide with what your husband has asked you to do, to save a possible future fuss. Its not worth it.