The Story Behind My Book: Why I Finally Decided to Tell It

There are moments in life that change you forever. Some happen slowly over time, and others hit you in an instant — the kind that leaves a line in your life: before and after.

For years, I lived with the weight of a story I never planned on telling. A story about pain, survival, bad medicine, a coma that nearly took my life, and the long fight to rebuild myself piece by piece. I always thought I would keep it private. I didn’t want the attention, and honestly, I didn’t want to relive the darkest moments of my life.

But life has a funny way of pushing you toward the things you’re meant to do.

The more people I met — clients, friends, strangers who shared their own battles — the more I realized something important:

My story wasn’t just mine. It was something that could help others survive their darkest moments too.

So I started writing.

At first, it was just rough notes. Memories. Questions I still didn’t have answers to. Then pages became chapters, and chapters became something bigger than I ever expected. I found myself reliving the coma… the surgeries… the paralysis… the confusion when I woke up and didn’t know if I’d ever walk again.

It wasn’t easy. But it was necessary.

Writing this book forced me to face the truth about what happened — the pill mills, the prescriptions that should’ve been flagged, the mistakes that nearly ended everything. It also reminded me of the people who saved me: my family, my daughter, my dogs, and the rookie paramedic who refused to pronounce me gone.

I don’t consider myself a victim.I consider myself a survivor.

That’s why I decided it was finally time to share my story.

If my book reaches even one person who feels lost…If it gives someone hope when they feel like giving up…If it helps someone understand the warning signs I ignored…Then every painful memory I wrote down will have been worth it.

This blog — and this website — will be the place where I share updates, behind-the-scenes moments, lessons from my recovery, and thoughts on life after coming back from the edge.

If you’re reading this, thank you.Thank you for being here.Thank you for supporting this journey.And thank you for giving my story a place to land.

There’s a lot more to come.

— Robert B. Routt