GARFIELD HEIGHTS -- A Garfield Heights woman battling a terminal illness says she just needs some help from her family, but her ready and willing family can't do that, because of a decision by the United States Government.
"I'm so scared," said Lolita Almeda. "I'm very scared I will die by myself."
Lolita Almeda has breast cancer. First diagnosed two years ago, she's been through chemotherapy, radiation and clinical trials.
The cancer went into remission, but three weeks ago, her doctor told her it's back.
"The chemotherapy is worse than the cancer," Almeda said. "The pain, the nausea. There are things I want to do for myself like make soup. I cannot do it. By myself I cannot do it."
In 2010 she asked her daughter, Katherine, a registered nurse, to come from the Philippines to take care of her.
Twice now, the state department has said no, saying she did not establish eligibility and did not prove she had adequate financial support in the U.S.
Lolita, who became an American citizen 15 years ago, says she feels let down.
"I'm only asking the government to do me a simple favor -- give my daughter a visa to come help me with this," Almeda said.
Almeda's case now has the attention of Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), who says his office is doing everything it can to bring mother and daughter together.
"We're not giving up," said Brown. "This is a case where we think Lolita is right, her daughter is right. We want both of them to be together, so the daughter can show the love and concern to her mother."
In the meantime, Lolita Almeda's life continues to get more complicated. She's also been diagnosed with diabetes and after losing her job two years ago, her house is in foreclosure.
"Any moment, the sheriff will knock on my door saying this house will go to sheriff sale," she said. "I have to get out and where will I go? I'm by myself, sick. I just need my daughter to be here."
Lolita's daughter says she will re-apply for a visa next week in Manila.
Senator Brown's office says it will be in touch with the State Department.
Lolita is scheduled to begin a new round of treatment in the next few weeks.
WKYC-TV