Leslie Caoili, a 41-year-old mother of two from San Diego, is adjusting to life after a routine heart checkup turned into an emergency that cost her both arms and both legs. The competitive strength athlete visited a doctor in May for what was meant to be a standard evaluation, only for physicians to discover she was suffering from a Stanford Type A aortic dissection, a tear in the inner layer of the aorta that carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart. As detailed by LADbible, the condition put her within hours of losing her life.
Because the tear occurred in the upper aorta near the heart, doctors moved immediately to operate. Her husband, Lee Caoili, told local media the surgery was not optional, describing it as the only way to save her. The procedure involved cardiopulmonary bypass and extensive reconstruction of her aorta, and the family said they did not grasp how serious her condition was until that point.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, an aortic dissection happens when blood forces its way through a tear in the artery wall, splitting its layers apart and cutting off blood flow to parts of the body. The condition is rare and most common in people between the ages of 40 and 70, with high blood pressure, connective tissue disorders, and heavy weightlifting among the factors that can raise the risk.
Her body could not handle what came after the operation
The surgery addressed the tear, but the weeks that followed brought a second crisis. Leslie lost blood flow to her hands and feet within a month of the procedure, and her husband said doctors did not know how her body would respond to the operation itself.
Her extremities turned dark and became damaged beyond saving, which led doctors to amputate her hands at the mid-forearm along with both of her legs. The story comes amid a string of other family fundraising efforts covering medical costs this year, including a child’s helicopter crash recovery that also drew public support to help cover mounting hospital bills.
Lee has been preparing their home for Leslie’s discharge, adjusting renovation plans the couple had already started to fit her new physical needs. He said she wants to get back to her children, her dog, and as much of her normal life as possible, adding that every day has been a fight for her. Medical emergencies with lasting physical consequences have drawn wider attention recently, amid cases like an Arizona man’s paralysis lawsuit after a police response left him paralyzed from the chest down.
To help cover the costs, the family started a GoFundMe intended for medical expenses, ICU-related travel and lodging, household bills, and long-term rehabilitation. Lee described Leslie as a devoted mother, sister, friend, and wife who has always been the one others could depend on, and said the family is now leaning on that same community for support.
As of the most recent update, the fundraiser had reached $93,980 of its $140,000 goal.
Published: Aug 24, 2026 08:30 am