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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsLooking for some advice re: a relationship/health issue
if this is the wrong forum for this, I apologize.
I'm friends on FB with a woman (I'm a guy) who lives quite a distance away-it would be an all day drive. We haven't met, have been working up to that stage, but it hasn't happened yet. We know each other pretty well, for never having been in the same room.
She's had a lot of problems recently-struggled with depression, has lost both her parents, a divorce. Just a lot of shit.
We usually chat 2-3 times a week. I didn't hear from her on Wednesday night when I expected to, which raised a red flag, because she's very consistent with her routines. She came online last night and revealed to me that she'd been feeling poorly--symptoms which may indicate a cardiac issue, although it could of course be something else. In fact, she'd felt so bad she'd considered calling 911, although she didn't. At the time we chatted, she was feeling a little better, although still unwell. I couldn't convince her to go to the ER, although she agreed to see a Dr today, and to keep me posted. I urged her to keep the phone nearby and call 911 if the situation changed, and she agreed.
She is a single mom, her 13 year old son is currently on a two week visit to his father in another state. She has a brother who lives nearby, although they aren't particularly close, and she indicated that when she spoke to him, he wasn't all that helpful. Because of the divorce and her depression, she has become distant from many of her friends. I tried to get her to call someone, but she said there wasn't anyone she was close enough to-I don't know if that's actually the case-judging from her interactions with others on FB, there are people who do care about her, but that's what she said.
I haven't heard from her since last night, not that I expected to immediately. I assume she passed the rest of the night uneventfully, and is seeing a Dr today.
I guess I'm partly asking for advice and partly venting. The other people in her life seem to not give a shit or she's not willing to open up to them, for whatever reason. And I'm so far away there's not too much I can do-Otherwise I would have driven there last night and taken her to the ER myself. I have her home #, but not her cell. She hasn't been on FB since last night. What should my next step be? What if I continue to not hear from her by tonight or tomorrow? Thanks for any input.
Ex Lurker
(3,813 posts)I would appreciate it. I'm in a quandary.
2pooped2pop
(5,420 posts)Hoppy
(3,595 posts)Maybe they can check in.
Ex Lurker
(3,813 posts)JustAnotherGen
(31,815 posts)Give her a call this evening if she works regular business hours. However - hurt people hurt others, and unhealthy (emotionally) people make others unhealthy. From what you posted here - be a friend but keep your options open for a healthier 'romantic' partner. I say that with absolute kindness and sincerity.
Dorian Gray
(13,493 posts)Be a good friend. Think twice before you get romantically attached.
Ex Lurker
(3,813 posts)She's a nice person, has a lot going for her, just has had some hard knocks lately. The depression has been an ongoing thing since adolescence basically, usually under control, but made a whole lot worse by recent circumstances. Point definitely taken about the romantic aspect, and there'll be a time to assess if this is where I should be going long term. But regardless, she's in a bit of a crisis at the moment and needs someone. The universe says I'm "it," it seems. Now I need to figure out what to do. I guess the next step is try to contact someone closer geographically.
JustAnotherGen
(31,815 posts)A Wellness check. I'd start there.
riderinthestorm
(23,272 posts)Trust me, they'd far rather find an ill woman than a dead woman.
Ex Lurker
(3,813 posts)Ex Lurker
(3,813 posts)A relative came through in the clutch and took her to the doctor. EKG, bloodwork, ultrasound all look okay. Stress test next week, but so far so good. Still concerned, but quite a bit more relieved now. Thanks for all the advice