As men approach middle age, there is always the concern of the possibility of an elevated PSA test as well as a prostate biopsy, and possible treatment, if the biopsy is positive. This concern is further exacerbated by the anxiety and fear that goes with a positive biopsy.My professional career was teaching for the Dept. of Defense in Okinawa and mainland Japan for 31 years. As I approached my late 50's, I was feeling like things weren't quite right, yet I was not really able to put my finger on what was happening. I drove over to the clinic on Yokota Air Base and shared my concerns with the military doctor. His in-depth analysis of my concerns amounted to one question. "How old are you?" I told him I was 57 and he said he was also 57...He told me it was just my age and encouraged me to relax.I left the following weekend for my summer break then returned and requested one thing and that was a PSA test. I was given the test and it was elevated to a level that was considered abnormal, so I requested a biopsy at the Tokyo University Hospital Dept. of Urology. The biopsy was given and all protocols were met, but they were old school and zero pain medication was given. My wife Yuko translated through the process. The biopsy results were negative.Following the first biopsy, my PSA danced around all over the place and 3 years later, with the advice of Yokosuka Naval Hospital Urology Dept., I was given another biopsy. It was the most painful of the two and I felt like I had pulled into a truck stop for an overhaul and they completed the task with the wrong tools.After this second biopsy, I retired from the Dept. of Defense and returned to California with orders to find a good urologist and have my conditioned monitored. This left me with the appropriate direction to take, but I was again tracking with the anxiety and fear that I had before.After my household items from Japan arrived, I concentrated on settling in and establishing a routine with my new life. I again began my search for a competent Urologist. Lucky for me, after having had two previous biopsies, I knew what to look for. I needed someone competent, thorough, current with approaches available, someone that was compassionate, and finally someone who would add clarity and a clear path to proceed as we continued to monitor my PSA levels. I was led, through a series of circumstances, to Dr. Robert James and the St. Joseph Urology Dept. We met, and I immediately felt like it was a perfect Doctor- patient match. He had me read "Surviving Prostate Cancer," which was a page turner. Chapters had short and long versions depending on how deep the reader wanted to go. After monitoring my PSA for a few months, and through the course of my treatment, we decided that another biopsy would be needed, which could happen at the end of the summer (was Aug 30th).I was called several times before the procedure and given the appropriate meds in advance. The technician assistant made me feel super comfortable and the biopsy went without a glitch and with minimal discomfort.In closing, aging isn't easy, but with the correct information and collaboration between doctor and patient, it can be a complimentary process to all concerned. I highly recommend Dr. Robert James and the St. Joseph Urology Clinic to anyone needing a urologist. The man is absolutely amazing!!!Steven Thomas