San Diego woman loses limbs after emergency aortic surgery complications

Leslie Caoili, a 41-year-old competitive strength athlete from Spring Valley, was found to have a catastrophic Type A aortic dissection during a standard heart checkup in May. Surgeons performed an immediate cardiopulmonary bypass and extensive aortic reconstruction to save her life. In the subsequent weeks, blood supply to her hands and feet stopped, leading to blackened, shriveled tissue.

After medical attempts failed to restore circulation, doctors amputated her hands at the mid-forearm and both legs. Caoili has spent several months in the hospital and is expected to leave soon. Her husband, Amery Lee Caoili, is requesting skilled volunteers to overhaul their home and has launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover the costs.