Leslie Caoili, a 41-year-old competitive strength athlete from Spring Valley, California, has undergone amputations of her arms and legs following complications from emergency surgery. Caoili's life took a drastic turn in May when a routine heart checkup revealed a life-threatening Type A aortic dissection, a severe tear in her aorta.
Doctors determined that Caoili required immediate surgery involving cardiopulmonary bypass and extensive aortic reconstruction to survive. Her husband, Amery Lee Caoili, stated that she had only a few hours left to live before the emergency procedure.
In the weeks following the surgery, Caoili experienced a loss of blood flow to her hands and feet. Her husband described how her extremities became blackened and shriveled. Due to the lack of improvement in circulation, doctors were compelled to amputate her hands mid-forearm and both of her legs.
Caoili, a mother of two daughters, was an active strength athlete who competed throughout San Diego prior to her diagnosis. She has been hospitalized for several months and is preparing for discharge.
Her family is working to make their home accessible for her return. Her husband is seeking volunteers with expertise in electrical, HVAC, roofing, flooring, and painting to assist with a comprehensive home renovation. "She just wants to come home to her family and her kids and her dog and me and wants to get back to living life as normal as we can make it for us," Amery Lee Caoili said. A GoFundMe campaign has been established to help with expenses.