Male breast cancer survivor speaks out Momma, I found a lump was battle cry in cancer drama for Ambrose Kirkland By Vasty Paul Florida A&M University Dec. 2, 2014 When Ambrose Alkutya Kirkland, 53, found out he was diagnosed with breast cancer 13 years ago, he knew he would have no trouble recovering from the fatal disease. I have always been very confident. Its just my nature, Kirkland said. Ambrose Alkutya Kirkland was 40 years old when he was alone in his Tallahassee home and realized he had found a lump. After realizing it was a lump he scheduled a meeting with the doctor and was awaiting the diagnosis. Kirkland distinctly remembers the day he found out. It was a Friday afternoon when the doctor called with the news. His mother, Lora, whom he looked after full-time, had a very bad case of rheumatoid arthritis in her knees which made her unable to walk. was with him when he took the call. When the doctor told him the news, he said that he could see his life flash before his eyes. Having a large family, he knew stepping up to the plate was something he would have to deal with. He preaches that he is glad that cancer chose him and not one of his sisters or any other female family members. I come from a family of 12 children, he said. Knowing that the disease can take away the breast that it affected, Ambrose joked I wont be using my breast anytime soon. He had a double mastectomy on Dec. 13, 2001. Radiation treatment followed. Since the time he was diagnosed, there hasnt been a day when he has not raised awareness about men and breast cancer. Breast cancer is about 100 times less common among men than among women. For men, the lifetime risk of getting breast cancer is about 1 in 1,000. The number of breast cancer cases in men relative to the population has been fairly stable over the last 30 years. The fact that breast cancer runs in Ambroses family it made it even tougher on his family. My paternal grandmother died from breast cancer, he said. My paternal aunt died from breast and now Im a breast cancer survivor. Ambrose Kirkland in pink with those who love him. (Photo by Vasty Paul) His parents had 7 boys and 5 girls. One brother died of brain cancer in 2012 and one sister died of diabetes in 2006. His foster son Kevin died in January of 2012 of lung cancer and Douglas, his brother, died of brain cancer in September of that year. His family history on his fathers side - he had nine brothers and nine sisters - each one died, including his father, from breast or lung cancer. His own battle with cancer has not wounded his personality. He continues to smile every day and is full of life. In fact, he has found the time and strength to write about his journey on defeating this life-threatening disease and titled it Mamma I Found A Lump. It is available on Amazon On his down time when he is not being a caregiver to his younger sister, he enjoys cooking and being out on the road with his other sister Loretta. His battle with breast cancer was one like no other. He was going back and forth through life with the many challenges he faced. He wanted to tell his family, including his sister, with whom he had lost contact. He was finally able to find her. The untimely deaths of both his oldest brother and foster son from cancer put him on an emotional roller coaster. He brightens up the room whereever he goes, whether it be by his shiny pink ribbon or just his jokes and humor that echo throughout the room. Breast Cancer is just another obstacle that Ambrose Alkutya Kirkland has conquered Anyone who suspects they may have a lump on their body anywhere should contact Leon County Health Department at (850) 606-8150. youtu.be/Ly52R1Wozoo
Posted on: Wed, 03 Dec 2014 23:39:07 +0000
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