Beautiful Brendaleah
- Angela Inspires
- Aug 26, 2022
- 4 min read
Tell the world who you are!
Hi, my name is Brenda Leah Batista, although I like to call myself Beautiful Brendaleah. A name I baptized myself with after being diagnosed with Breast Cancer (stage -1), at the tender age of 42. Before Breast Cancer, I would say I somewhat exercised, but ate unhealthy meals all the time. My life was pretty stressed & I was stuck in a toxic relationship.
Diagnosis
Early July 2009, I was joking around with my 3 daughters telling them that my body was still good looking for my age. I cupped and squeezed each naked boob with my hands and suddenly felt a significant sized lump on my left breast. I stopped cold! My heart dropped! And I suddenly panicked. I said...Oh my God!! I asked my daughters 1 by 1 to touch the lump to make sure I wasn't going crazy. My girls all said "mom just go to the doctor to make sure". I did. The very next day I went to the doctor, my doctor was not available but another doctor saw me and immediately sent me to another office to get a mammogram. That mammogram turned into a sonogram and that turned into a biopsy. This was how I spent all of August. Needless to say, I was so worried.
My relationship stress and unhappiness with my life made me feel hopeless, but my faith in God kept me strong. I kept telling myself “Leah, God will see you through it no matter what happens” August took forever to end. Finally September 2009 Rolled in.......so many more tests were done (another biopsy, 2nd sonogram, MRI, BRCA) It was all sinking in. I felt terrified. October 2009 my doctor finally told me. “Ms. Batista, You have Breast Cancer". Honestly, as shocked as I was, I sort of felt relieved to finally know the truth. My head was spinning. All I could do was think to myself “the time has come, I have to tell my family the truth” The problem was that my 2 oldest daughters had gone away to their first year of college. How would I break this horrible news? I had to be brave.
My family History
A little history about my family: I am one of 15 brothers & sisters, not only do I have 2 daughters by birth, but I have a foster daughter (14 at the time) who fully depended on me. For all these reasons I had to prepare to fight this monster. I had to tell my parents this terrible news about their youngest child. This was the hardest part for me because at the same time as me, 1 of my 8 sisters was also diagnosed with Breast Cancer; hers was more dangerous, stage 3. Magda was 51 when she passed away on Sept. 16, 2013. I could never allow my parents to bury another daughter. I needed to live!!
Treatment
Before my surgery, I promised myself I was going to clean house in my life, and so I began. I cut off with anything and anyone that was causing me stress, completely. Newly single, I was able to focus on my life & the journey that was ahead of me. I was determined. In October, I had the last of my tests done. Soon after I was cleared and the date for my Surgery was set. November 2009 I was ready for my 1st surgery. Double Mastectomy is the procedure I chose against everyone's wishes. My sisters were questioning my doctors because they did not agree with my decision. I educated them on my choice and why. Having real Breast did not make me a woman. I had children; I just needed to focus on life after Cancer. No biggie…on November 2009 (Thanksgiving time) Surgery #1 happened. Thank God it was successful. Tissue expanders were set in place in each boob. 3 months later…. On February 2010 surgery #2 happened. Both surgeries went really, really well. My doctors were amazed at how quickly I was healing and I was sent home earlier than expected. I was so grateful to God. I knew HE was in contro
In mid-March I was scheduled to speak to an oncologist that suggested I should get 10 Chemotherapy sessions and 8 sessions of Radiation, I never did. I was Cancer free, why would I poison my body with those chemicals? I was also recommended to drink pills (Tamoxifen) for the duration of 5 years of which I only took for 1 year.
Life Now as a Breast Cancer Survivor
On October 2015 I was pleasantly surprised to have been chosen as one of the faces for the bucket slips of The Breast Cancer Society and I was also selected to cut the ribbon at the Central Park Breast Cancer Walkathon. Today, at age 48, I am celebrating 6 years as a Breast Cancer Survivor who is totally in love with life. I spend most of my free time researching and promoting a healthy lifestyle including, but not limited to (organic foods, gluten, GMO, antibiotic free) & fitness for life. Even at work, I promote health, nutrition and fitness to my co-workers and students every chance I get.
My workouts include cross fit, cardio, HIIT and weight Lifting 5-6 days a week. Weightlifting 225lbs in squats is my best. I feel accomplished in so many areas I never dreamed of. Last but not least, my best friend & trainer Adrian Newell (Certified Fitness Instructor &Certified in Strength/Conditioning) adopted me as his biggest, most important person in the fight against Breast Cancer & Fitness. He has been training me, consistently and free of cost, for the last 4 years. In April 2013, together, we created the A-trainers Boot Camp that we so proudly Co-run at Pelham Bay Park. Our program is designed to help anyone lose weight and keep it off. Our program provides 1 full hour of intensive fitness (warm up and stretch included) and nutritional pep talks for a small fee of $10. I also created my Instagram account to help inspire others. After Cancer I fully understand "Life is beautiful and God is Ooh so good!" Glory be to Jesus for I owe Him all that I am.
Brendaleah Batista
Age 48 (49 on March 10)
6 Year Breast Cancer Survivor
IG: Beautiful _ Brendaleah
Comments