My favorite book salesman came by for his yearly visit last Wednesday. In fact, he's the only book salesman I see on the job. We've known each other for over 10 years now, and each time he visits is not only a business meeting but a reunion of sorts. I like him. He's decent, friendly, courteous and he doesn't try to force me into buying books that aren't essential to the library collection.

He also brings me things. This year, he left his usual notepads and pens, but he added a really nice pocket calendar with its own slim pen that will be just what I need for the coming year. In the front of the calendar are a few inspirational quotes with bea.jpgul photographs accompanying them.

One stands out in particular. The quote, source unknown, is "The rock that is an obstacle in the path of one person becomes a stepping stone in the path of another."

Twenty-four years ago, Thurston Murray faced a rock. Diagnosed at age 37 with male breast cancer, he was what you would call one in a million. Less than one percent of breast cancer occurs in men, and it usually occurs in much older men. After a modified radical mastectomy and 23 radiation treatments, Thurston was released to live life one day at a time.

It's not that easy. Every pain, every ache, every twinge, for quite some time after a cancer diagnosis, becomes an alarm that would drown out 10 police cars racing to the scene of a crime. But gradually, three month checkups become six month checkups; and then you graduate to yearly checkups. Before each one, however, no one can understand the depth of concern that plagues someone who may be walking into bad news.

Fortunately for Thurston, his yearly exams are over. He is a 24-year survivor. He is not cured, but he is surviving. With steady determination, he has used the 24-year-old rock in his life to provide stepping stones for others.

In the past year, he assisted a young man who created a program for the men in his church. The topic? Male breast cancer. The young man produced a brochure and did an excellent job preparing for the day. The room was crowded and hushed as Thurston shared his story. One man asked, "Aren't you embarrassed to talk about this?"

Certainly Thurston is not, for he sees his experience as an opportunity to reach out and help others understand that though male breast cancer is rare, it is a reality that catches many men off guard. Better to be a little embarrassed, as the man said, than to realize that someone might die if Thurston doesn't share his story.

In mid-October, he spoke at Wofford College to a group of about 75 young people, including young men. Who knows if what he said will impact one of their lives in the future? Or the life of someone they know?

During this month, Thurston has been featured on the American Cancer Society's Web page and on foxnews.com's health Web page. The links are provided below. His story has impacted the lives of men and women through the years, and he continues to tell it.

For 24 years, he has lived life one day at a time. And one day at a time, as he has shared his story, I believe his rock has become a stepping stone for others.

For more information, visit:

* http://www.cancer.org/docroot/FPS/content/FPS_1_Male_Breast_Cancer_Survivor_Speaks_Out.asp?siteareaNWS

* http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,302640,00.html

Harris Murray is director of library services at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College. She can be reached by e-mail at writeharris55@yahoo.com. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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