I wish I could have Dr. McDonnell for all my medical needs. I have never met a doctor with his kindness. He has the best bedside manners, explains everything, and took away my Sciatic pain that I have suffered with for 20 years. I was on Opiates, which was the only way I could function, and he explained to me how these would make my intense spinal surgery harder to recover from because of my brain receptors. I had been on Permanent Disability since 2005. I’m 69 and had no quality of life. Knowing he was going to help me, I went home and started detoxing from pain medication I had been taking for 20 yrs. Unfortunately, there are doctors who just keep filling your scripts without trying to help you. It wasn’t easy but with my family’s help, I did it! So on the day of surgery, I felt good, and I thanked Dr. McDonnell for this. He was a God-sent. Although the surgery was rough, I no longer have L5/S1 pain, and at 69, I see a light at the end of my tunnel. Thank you so much Dr. McDonnell for fixing me and helping me become drug-free. You are a one-of-a-kind doctor. I wish I found you sooner. Your staff at RWJ, including PAs, nurses, aids, and PTs, treated me with empathy and kindness. They were so accommodating and never made me feel uncomfortable. He can be proud of his staff at the office, and hospital.
-Lois Tarter