October = Liver Awareness Month

One cause of liver failure is Tylenol (acetaminophen) overdose. So many of my patients and families seem alarmed when told this is the cause of their liver failure. SO...

I'll take this moment to step on my soap box and remind you all to please use extreme caution with acetaminophen when taking it for yourself or giving it to your children. Acetaminophen is found in many over the counter medications, not just Tylenol, so be sure to read labels carefully when taking more than one medication. The FDA recently passed a law requiring bigger warning labels on these medications, because in the past the labels are small and often missed by the general population.

Overdosing on Tylenol (and other acetaminophen containing medications) can cause many life threatening problems including acute liver failure. Combining this medication with alcohol or if you are a chronic alcohol user can be dangerous. Taking more than the recommended dose, chronically using this medication or taking it more frequently than recommended can cause serious liver damage and even death.

For infants and children, please use extreme caution is recommended when babies spit out some of the medication and additional amounts are given. This could lead to larger than intended dosing.

Acetaminophen is called paracetomal in many countries. Brand names are extensive, so again be sure to look at labels.

Tyelnol is a good drug when used with caution. Unfortunately, many people assume over-the-counter medications are without risks. Now you know :)

Weekend of 31

My birthday weekend started on Friday at work when some of the residents brought me cake to clinic. Nothing like a sugar high to get you through the work day.

Then Friday night I was joined by my closest girlfriends for dinner at Folklore (a new restaurant in my neighborhood by the owners of Tango Sur)

Next we crossed the street to my favorite bar- InnJoy for some cocktails. I was happy to see some of my Ironman friends and many others made it out!

Saturday night Jason made me an amazing breakfast followed by a lazy day, a spectacular dinner at Avec and ending with a glass of wine at Swirl Wine Bar.

Sunday we took a trip to Great America Fright Fest. All the rollercoasters had Halloween names and decorations. This one was my favorite- "Superman." You actually are laying face down and flying like Superman!

The entire park was filled with Zombies, scary clowns and haunted houses. Once the sun set, the spooky music, black lights and dry ice were a perfect transition from birthday to my next favorite event- Halloween!

Jordana's Wedding in NYC

Jordana, my medical school roommate and her new husband Don got married in Manhattan on Sunday morning at the Chelsea Piers Lighthouse. Amanda and I stayed at the W in Times Square with two of our med school friends and their wives. Jordana invited us to join her family early for photos and the signing of the Kesuba. It was wonderful to be involved!

Jordana and her sister noticing we had arrived

Signing the KesubaJordana and Don under the Chubbah

First Dance followed by the Hora. I hope someone else has a photo of Jordana and Don hoisted in the air on chairs, but I don't.

Nathan, Amanda, Kevin and I on the bank of the Hudson River

Old tradition pose

Another spectacular wedding weekend spent exploring NYC with great friends! Congrats Jordana and Don.

Appleberry Farm

This weekend Jason and I were in Madison for a beautiful wedding at The Overture Center. Before we headed back to Chicago yesterday we made a trip to CrossPlanes to visit an apple orchard. The farm was right on the Ironman bike course and it was strange driving up the huge hills in a car and without the streets lined with spectators, but it was fun to show Jason the third of "The Three Bitches" which I rode. The orchard was a blast, we picked 6 pounds of apples and had some hot cider and a pumpkin patch to boot. The most fun of all was searching the orchard for the perfect pair.....

Beaver Creek Weekend- Idema's Wedding

A few weeks back I joined some old friends in Beaver Creek for Andy and Mandi's wedding weekend. Following the lead of The Hamm Fam, Get Ready to Chill and Dave and Marta; here are some highlights of the weekend

EGR Boys as Groomsmen

The Idema's First Dance
(wish I had a photo of the last one)

Nat, Marta and I catching a break in front of the fire

Beano's Cabin

Marta and Drew plan our post-wedding day hike

Dave, Marta, Laura and Jon on the chairlift

Michigan Pride

Destination- Beaver Lake

What an amazing weekend. Thanks to Andy and Mandi for a beautiful wedding, amazing food, hilarious dancing and for bringing us all together again!