Almost Gone: A Journey of Survival and Resilience

The Turning Point in My Life

There are moments in life that change you forever. Some happen slowly over time, while others hit you in an instant. These moments create a line in your life: before and after.

For years, I carried the weight of a story I never planned to tell. It’s a story filled with pain, survival, and the consequences of bad medicine. It includes a coma that nearly took my life and the long, arduous fight to rebuild myself piece by piece. I always thought I would keep it private. I didn’t want the attention. 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.

Realization and Writing

The more people I met — clients, friends, and even strangers — the more I realized something important:

My story wasn’t just mine. It 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, those pages became chapters, and those chapters grew into something bigger than I ever expected. I found myself reliving the coma, the surgeries, the paralysis, and the confusion when I woke up not knowing if I’d ever walk again.

It wasn’t easy. But it was necessary.

Facing the Truth

Writing this book forced me to confront the truth about what happened. I had to face the pill mills, the prescriptions that should’ve been flagged, and 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.

The Impact of Sharing

If my book reaches even one person who feels lost, if it gives someone hope when they feel like giving up, or 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.

A Journey of Healing

Healing is not just physical; it’s emotional and mental too. I’ve learned that recovery is a journey. It’s filled with ups and downs. There are days when I feel strong, and days when I feel weak. But each day is a step forward.

I want to share these experiences with you. I want to talk about the struggles, the victories, and everything in between. I want to create a space where we can connect and support one another.

Finding Purpose After Addiction

After addiction, finding purpose can feel daunting. I know this from experience. I had to rediscover what mattered to me. I had to learn how to live again. It wasn’t easy, but it was necessary.

I found purpose in sharing my story. I found purpose in helping others. If I can inspire just one person to seek help or to find their own path to recovery, then I’ve done my job.

Thank You for Being Here

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

There’s a lot more to come. I’m excited to share this journey with you. Together, we can navigate the complexities of recovery and resilience.

Let’s take this journey together.

— Robert B. Routt