Leslie Caoili’s life changed forever after what was a routine heart checkup. Instead, the San Diego mother was rushed into emergency surgery – which had devastating consequences. She lost both her arms – and legs.
Leslie Caoili, 41, was a healthy and competitive strength athlete when doctors discovered a life-threatening tear in her aorta in May. She needed an emergency operation that lasted around eight and a half hours, and her husband, Lee, said she may have had only hours to live.
The surgery saved Leslie’s life. But in the weeks that followed, she suffered a devastating loss of blood flow to her hands and feet.
“By the end of the first month there, her hands and her feet were blackened and shriveled,” Lee told ABC 10News.
Doctors were eventually forced to amputate both of Leslie’s hands at the mid-forearm, as well as both of her legs.
“Every day has been a battle for her. Every day has been a fight,” her husband said.
Woman has arms and legs amputated after routine checkup goes wrong
Now, after spending months in the hospital, Leslie is preparing to finally return home to her husband, their two daughters, and their dog. However, there is one major issue: their home is not yet equipped for her needs.
Lee is now appealing for skilled volunteers, including carpenters, electricians, and painters, to help make the house safe and accessible before Leslie is discharged.
For Lee, the renovations are about far more than simply fixing a house.
“She just wants to come home to her family and her kids and her dog and me,” he said, adding that she wants to get back to living life “as normal as we can make it for her.”
The family has set up a GoFundMe to help with medical, rehabilitation and household costs as Leslie begins the next chapter of her recovery.
Raised more than $100,000
At the time of writing, they have raised more than $103,000.
“Leslie is more than a patient in a hospital bed. She is a loving wife, devoted mother, daughter, sister, and friend who has touched so many people with her kindness, strength, and love. She has always been the person others could depend on, and now we are asking for help on her behalf during the most difficult time our family has ever faced,” the GoFundMe reads.
“As we remain by her side every day, the financial burden continues to grow rapidly. Between missed work, travel expenses, hospital-related costs, meals, parking, childcare, and the uncertainty of a long recovery ahead, we are struggling to keep up while focusing on what matters most — being there for her.”
On Monday, Leslie’s family shared a statement on her Instagram page, thanking everyone who has been supporting them.
Family shared update on Leslie
“The past 48 hours have been an incredible whirlwind of emotions. The outpouring of love, support, and generosity has been overwhelming in the best possible way. I never realized how deeply Leslie’s journey could touch so many people, and I’m truly humbled and grateful for everyone who has reached out- friends, family, and complete strangers alike,” the message in an Instagram Story read.
“We know God has a plan for Leslie, and we continue to trust that His plan is greater than anything we could have imagined. We remain strong in our faith, confident in humanity and hopeful for what lies ahed.”
It concluded, “There’s still a long road ahead, but the light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter every day. Thank you all for standing with us, offering help, and guiding us through this journey.”
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Leslie and her family.
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