How Toxic Shock Syndrome Helped Me Find My “Why”

By Mark Johnson | PA-C & Coach

“Are you having trouble finding the passion that you once had? I sometimes need to remind myself of how a brush with death defined my entire career.”

As the youngest of six, I lived a pretty simple life in small-town Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I enjoyed riding my Big Wheel down the sidewalk, playing in the sandbox, and crashing Matchbox cars with my brothers.

I was a happy kid. I worked hard in school, learned to say “please and thank you,” and I wasn’t afraid of hard work. Saturday mornings meant fishing with my dad or hunting for treasures at garage sales until my belly gurgled for lunch. Life was normal.

Then came August 1983.

August 29th started as a happy day. I was swinging gleefully on the school monkey bars, trying to break the world record for laps to impress some girls (though I’ve never admitted that until now). But all that crazed swinging resulted in massive blisters that filled my entire palms.

By evening, the pain was excruciating. My parents treated it with ice packs, but then the sore throat started. Our regular pediatrician—a bland man without much personality—did a quick exam, diagnosed me with “strep throat,” and sent us home with antibiotics.

He was wrong.

My symptoms worsened rapidly. I became so weak I had to be carried back to the doctor’s office. This time, we saw Dr. Scott Nau. He was a studious physician who didn’t smile much, but he took his job seriously. He took one look at me and knew.

I was immediately admitted to the ICU. Dr. Nau gave my parents devastating news: “Your son has Toxic Shock Syndrome. He may have only 24 hours to live.”

The Blur of Survival

The next few days were a blur of pain. I developed a beefy red rash over my entire body. My skin began to peel in layers—especially on my hands and feet—until walking brought me to tears. My kidneys were failing. My body was shutting down.

But in that dark valley, I met angels. Sweet nurses who snuck me ice cream late at night (which is probably why I still eat ice cream every day). My sister visiting after school. A large envelope of cards from my classmates.

Miraculously, I turned the corner. I became a bit of a local celebrity—featured in the Cedar Rapids Gazette—but more importantly, I found my mission. I wanted to be just like Dr. Nau. I wanted to help people feel better. I wanted to comfort them in their darkest times.

The Lesson for Today

I have now been an ER and Hospital Medicine Physician Assistant for more than 17 years. But even I am not immune to the grind.

When I get worn down from my job, feel exhausted from the unending charting, or get frustrated with the system, I stop. I remind myself of that little boy in the ICU.

That passion is my compass. It’s what keeps me going when the demands of healthcare feel overwhelming. Toxic Shock changed my life, and I am so glad that it did.

Watch News coverage of Mark’s return home

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