At just 24 years old, Lauren Wasser was at the height of her athletic and professional ambitions. She had recently declined a full basketball scholarship to focus on a rising fashion career when a sudden illness changed her life permanently. What began as symptoms resembling the flu quickly escalated into a catastrophic medical emergency caused by toxic shock syndrome, a rare but life-threatening condition linked in some cases to tampon use.
Wasser recently detailed her experience on The Diary Of A CEO, hosted by Steven Bartlett. Living alone in her Los Angeles apartment at the time, she became violently ill and lost consciousness. Her mother requested a wellness check after being unable to reach her, a decision that ultimately saved her life. Emergency responders found Wasser unresponsive and in critical condition.
By the time she reached the hospital, her body temperature had soared to 107 degrees, triggering a massive heart attack and multiple organ failure. She was placed on life support as doctors worked to identify the cause. An infectious disease specialist eventually suspected toxic shock syndrome after conducting diagnostic tests. The condition, caused by bacteria releasing toxins into the bloodstream, is often misdiagnosed because its early symptoms mimic common illnesses.
Although doctors were able to stabilize her and save her life, the damage to her lower body was severe. Gangrene had developed in both legs, cutting off blood flow and leaving tissue beyond repair. Wasser later described an intense burning sensation in her feet as doctors faced a grim decision. To prevent the infection from spreading further and becoming fatal, her right leg was amputated below the knee.
The emotional shock deepened when she accidentally overheard hospital staff discussing the procedure before she had been formally told. As she struggled to process the news, the physical pain and psychological trauma compounded. At that moment, the future she had envisioned vanished, replaced by an uncertain path filled with recovery, unanswered questions, and a growing determination to understand how this could have happened.