Dr. McDonald,
Thank you for all of your efforts in helping me with my injury. All of you have done a super job! The treatment I have receieved has been over and above all of my expectations. Keep up the good work!
Thank you sincerely,
- F.K.

Dr. McDonald,
It is impossible for me to put into words how much you helped me. I have lost so many things in the past year. When compared to the people that you see, I am sure that my care appears quite minor. But, from my perspective it has been a nighmare without an end. You have never minimized my feelings, and I have really appreciated it.

From the moment I first met you, I have felt confident in your ability to help me. You have had such a direct approach in treating me. I have felt such anxiety and frustration in not knowing what was wrong with me and your explanation of what nerves were involved gave me such relief and hope that they maybe could become normal again.

I leave for Europe tomorrow, but I wanted to thank you before leaving. I could never have gone on this trip without your help. Thank you for your kindness and humor. You are the first doctor to help me find something to laugh at?I can see light at the end of the tunnel now because of you.
- S.M.

Dear Dr. McDonald,
My condition has slightly improved after having a valve placed to control my bladder incontinence. The nerve blocks you performed are giving me complete relief of the pain I had in my abdomen. Thanks so much for your skill and knowing how to do this. You are really an outstanding physician not only because of your great knowledge, but also because of your understanding and compassion. I feel very lucky to have found you.
- J.C.

Dear Dr. McDonald,
I am a widow, age 63, and I have interstitial cystitis. I have suffered for 8 years with no or little relief from treatments and visits to 7 different doctors. I was at my wits end. I was confined to home due to the pain and the frequent need to empty my bladder. I was about ready to have my bladder removed-that was the last resort suggestion by my last doctor. Elmiron did dull my pain and at least allow me to lie down on my couch. That couch became my life.

I finally was referred to you by my new urologist. You examined me and showed me pictures that I had never seen before about what may be causing my pain. You did some nerve blocks in your office that were very painful, BUT gave me immediate relief like I had never experienced. After having a series of 6 nerve blocks like this I began to feel like I could live again. My pain was not only less severe but also now infrequent!

This is the first treatment that has worked for me to give me pain relief and hope for some longer term relief from constant pain. I still have to know where the next bathroom is, but now I have some control over how fast I have to get there. Thank you for a miracle and thank you for your interest in me personally?.you gave me a ray of hope when I had nothing to hold onto.
- R.C.

Dear Dr. McDonald,
I suffered for nine months with severe chronic pelvic pain. I was given no identifiable cause and I had been treated with hormone therapy, ultrasound exam, laparoscopy exam, sigmoidoscopy exam, cat scan, and a D&C. I had no relief from pain, and I felt trapped in a downward spiral that could only end in suicide. I know that I did not want to end my life, but I felt hopeless and helpless.

My first visit to you resulted in your givning me hope and offering help that may relieve my pain. You said you could not erase my jpain completely, but convinced me that I could reduce my pain to a level that I could live with. I left your office that day still in pain, but knowing that I had an ally who could help me at last. By my third nerve block I had controllable pain. I no longer needed Vicodin. I could control my pain with ibuprofen. Now I work a full day again. I play the piano for church. I take cello lessons and I work out at the gym! I have a life! I thank the day and way I got referred to you. I thank you, dear doctor for your highly valuable assistance in giving me a new life and ability to face life again. Thank you for taking most of my pain away and giving me coping skills to deal with the residual pain I still have!
- D.C.

Dear Dr. McDonald,
I want to thank you for all your caring and efforts. I truly appreciate your trying to help me. I have hope that one day you will be able to dimmish my pain.
- M.G.

Dr. McDonald,
Many thanks for your kindness, skill, and your precious gift of hope!
Warmly,
- A.W.

Dear Dr. McDonald,
Thank you for all your help and for not giving up on me. I just hope that one of these days I will be painless and that is based upon the fact that I know you will not give up on me. Thanks so much for trying all the things you have so far to help.
- E.M.

Dr. McDonald,
I have gone from not working in the past to now working full time. My medicine varies according to my stress and the exercize I do. I now know I can relax some and use my own inner strength to influence my pain control. I had serious concerns about the injections when I first began, but your skill and concern for my well being has helped me get better each time slowly but surely. If someone asked, how do you spell relief? I would say Dr. John McDonald. I am truly living proof of what can be done to improve when you start at the bottom. I will always be thankful to you.

Thanks again for all you do for all of us.
- K.D.

Dear Dr. McDonald,
I want to thank you so much for taking time to see and my husband during my recent visit. I am grateful for your advice and experience and skill in treating pelvic pain. No one can imagine how alone you feel when you suffer every day and get no help time after time. Your work is so important to those of us who know pain and how it can capture your every moment everyday. Please keep up your caring and giving to those of us who need your efforts.
- L.S.

Dr. McDonald,
Thank you so much for your help with my pain of six years that you diagnosed and treated with repeated nerve injections. I soon began to feel like a new person, because I found you who knew what you were doing and believed me that I had pain. Many of my other doctors told me my pain was in my head. I have hopes that my pain will continue to decline and that oneday I will have a normal life to enjoy again. Keep up the good work to help so many others.
- J.U.

Dear Dr. McDonald,
Thank you so much for your belief and trust in me, your hope and faith in my future, and your never ending drive and determination to find a way to give me some relief and reduce my pain. You truly helped me to heal and to get back to a productive and low level pain life where I could look forward to a new day not dread it. You were the first health care professional who validated my pain and taught me to face my pain and to overcome it! Keep on giving that great gift of hope to you patients.
- T.K.

Dr. McDonald,
You are a very important part of a successful outcome to a pain problem I thought was getting the best of me. When I saw you I was in a wheelchair and unable to walk due to the severe pain in my right buttocks and right leg. My orthopedist believed there was no connection to the hip replacement I had on that side a year ago. My good fortune was you were on sabbatical at UCLA doing research and you examined me and treated me for problem you had experience with. I was scheduled for surgery in one week but your nerve blocks began to relieve my pain to the point I could begin to walk again. Now, I am fully mobile again without my wheelchair and without pain! It seems like a miracle to me. Thank you so much for your expertise and ability. My warmest thanks also for your understanding and compassion for a fellowman in pain!!
- A.S.

Dear Dr. McDonald,
I just want to say thanks for all you have done. I?ve never know a doctor who shows so much concern and caring. You have all made this situation a much more tolerable one, and I am developing confidence in myself just like you said. Thanks for your willingness to help me. I was at a low point in my life and thought nobody else suffered from such a problem. Your linking me up to Amy via email really made a difference. Thanks again.
- S.L.