HELP!!!! People that know cars and mechanics!!! My fuel pump may be bad!!?

[anniedm89]

Hello I am a young female that knows very little about cars but i knw when somehing is wrong. I usually consult my boyfriend about these matters but he is currently incarcerated. But yesterday and today when I tried to crank my car it didnt crank but it DOES crank when i press the gas a crank it and it makes a big REVROOM noise and goes fine. It was not doing this when I first left the house but when I make about 3 or 4 stops it starts at like the 3rd or so. Yesterday once i got it going i thought it was fine but i planned on shopping at about 6 or 7 places today and it started messing up at like the 3rd stop so I went home once i got it Reved up and going. One of my mechanic friends said that my fuel pump may be going bad and that this happens when there is frequently little gas that cools the pump. I feel that this may be the problem because I often ride until i am on the light until i get gas not knowing that it was bad to do that. I just need someone to tell me if this like the issue or not?? Also how long can i keep going my just doing that big REVROOM and reving it up; is that going to mess something else up??? Btw it is a 95 ford explorer (old i know) and about HOW MUCH will this cost?? And last i was told it GOING BAD so is there a difference in the repair from if is TOTALLY BROKE or GOING BAD??? Please help me someone.....thanks