friend denial hep c severe alcoholic

My friend and neighbor of 15 years was told she had hep c after a hospital run back in june she was told through another neighbor that if she didnt stop drinking she would die soon, of course her version is different.i am very concerned she has no job no insurance a 9 year old child whom she home schools which i believe she did because she didnt want the responsibility of dealing with schools, because she is drinking from sun up till sun down. All of that aside i hadnt seen only phone contact for 6 weeks, i went over last night and was terrified she looks 9 months pregant her skin is horrible she looks to me like shes gained 40 pounds,she was so cold and the house was a furnace. she sleeps till 1:00 every day.can someone please tell me is this advanced she still tells everyone her doctor said shes okay. i am so scared for the well being of her child and her.

[Marcia2202]

The swollen stomach does not sound good at all to me. I would get her to the hospital right away.

[Trinity4]

Drinks from sun up to sun down?  Sleeps until 1:00 pm and home schools her child?
Call Social Services -  she is not able to adequately care for her child or herself.  The child should be removed from that environment and she needs medical help immediately.
Trinity

[GreatBird]

I'm with Trinity. Social Services must get involved.

[nygirl7]

Agree completely with all of above.  It's one thing to not care for or take care of yourself but completely another to risk the life and welfare of a child.  I know it is easy to say "call social services" and you might not want to feel guilty.........but then think of how guilty you would feel if something were to happen to that child through neglect.

One of my best friends is a Director in Social Services and she has done more good in this lifetime to make sure children are taken care of then I can imagine. They are NOT horrible ogres.....they are there to help.

Also, perhaps in having them step in someone will insist upon treatment for your friend and it will help to save her life as well.  If she is that swollen in the stomach it doesn't sound like she has very much time and one way or the other - she is going to lose that kid........you might as well give her a fighting chance at getting her child and her life BACK.

Good luck.

[jdwithhcv]

Wow!  Hep C and drinks all day, sleeps til 1pm and is home schooling a 9 year-old!  What's wrong with this picture?  In your place I would call social services.  Mom and daughter both need their help.

[Marcia2202]

Good thinking everyone, I wasn't even thinking that far, duhhhhh...

The kid is definitely in a terrible situation here which needs some serious attention.

[granitekonig]

alcoholics cannot be helped by others. They have to do it themselves. Get involved to help the kid.  You're friend is not going to do it on her own and is probably beyond help at this point.

My Mother was an alcoholic and had Hep C since before I was born (which is why I have it) and would not give up the wine.

[KjFlicka]

I believe she needs to go the hospital asap. She needs friends and family help out now. Any child services call I think should be a last resort if no one else is able to help. Friends and family should take care of the child for a few months and this girl needs to get in gear now. It doesn't have to be a downward spiral if she steps up. She needs to know people are there who care and she has a child to live for. I think you'd give her more reason to give up if you threw social services into the equation.