A Sudden Medical Crisis
Leslie Caoili, a 41-year-old mother of two from Spring Valley, California, now faces a permanent change to her life after a routine checkup in May revealed a critical health condition. Doctors diagnosed the competitive strength athlete with a Type A aortic dissection. This condition is a life-threatening tear in the main artery that carries blood from the heart. Time was short, as her medical team estimated she had only hours to live without immediate intervention.
Surgeons performed an emergency procedure involving cardiopulmonary bypass and extensive reconstruction of her aorta to save her life. The family believed the danger had passed once the surgery finished. However, complications arose in the days and weeks that followed. Her body struggled to maintain healthy blood flow, which eventually caused her hands and feet to lose circulation. Within a month, these extremities turned black and shriveled due to the lack of blood supply.
The Reality of Recovery
Medical teams determined that amputation was necessary to save the rest of her body. Doctors removed her hands at the mid-forearm and performed leg amputations. This outcome turned a hopeful medical recovery into a long-term adjustment for the mother and her family. She has spent several months in the hospital and currently prepares for her transition back home.
Her husband, Amery Lee Caoili, remains her primary caregiver during this time. The family anticipates her discharge from the hospital within days. But their home is not currently set up to accommodate her physical needs. They face the task of retrofitting their living space to ensure it is accessible for her transition from the hospital environment back into daily life with her two daughters and their family dog.
Community Support and Future Needs
Amery Lee Caoili is reaching out to the community for assistance to manage this transition. He is looking for skilled laborers, such as electricians, HVAC technicians, roofers, flooring installers, and painters, to help finish a full home renovation. The goal is to provide a safe, accessible environment so that Leslie can return to her family and resume life as close to her previous state as possible.
In addition to the physical help, the family has started a GoFundMe page to cover the mounting expenses associated with her medical care and the required home modifications. This story highlights the extreme, unexpected nature of medical events that can turn a standard screening into a life-altering event. As Leslie prepares to go home, the focus remains on adapting their household for her specific mobility needs while navigating the aftermath of this unexpected surgery.