Shinedown Photos

Police Officer's 2nd chance-addiction This is a pic of me while on duty in plain clothes (normally I'm on Patrol). I have been one of the top officers all of my career and have even had an award created just for my search and rescue efforts after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. (The Chief's Commendation Award). Anyways, shortly after returning from New Orleans, I went into liver failure. I was life-flighted 2x and was put on life support. I had a priest from my church flown down to Cincinatti to read me my last rites. I was a top priority on the liver transplant list because it was so urgent. I woke up the next day and was totally conscious and my liver "fixed" itself. The doctors were speechless and don't know how it happened. I was released 8 days later. However, this is when everyone, including my Police Department, found out about my addiction. I was taking painkillers for so long and so heavily that the tylenol in the pills caused liver failure. This is a secret I've hid for years because of my profession. I was actually given a double second chance, because I got my life back AND my police department didn't fire me, but I was put on "thin ice" and THEY sent me to treatment. I am now living my life the way I should have all along. 08/27/2008 Submitted by Erica