Join Us in Supporting Leo Through His Medical Crisis

September 4, 2024

My name is Denise Fernandes and I am raising funds to help pay for my uncle’s medical bills. My uncle, Leo Arun Kapoor, had a cardiac arrest which resulted in anoxic brain injury. He also requires ongoing medical care and needs financial support.

Leo’s Story

My aunt and uncle, Lourdes and Leo Kapoor, travelled from India to Canada in June 2024 to visit relatives and to take some of the ashes of my late aunt Dorothy back to India. It was their first time visiting Canada. They initially applied for a visit visa to attend the funeral of Lourdes' sister Dorothy Soares, who passed away from cancer in February 2024. However, they were unable to get the Canada visa in time for the funeral. Leo and Lourdes arrived in Canada on June 4 and spent the next five weeks visiting and sightseeing with relatives.

The Medical Crisis

On July 11, I drove from Mississauga to Montreal with my parents, Leo, and Lourdes for a short trip with the intention of visiting the Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal. On July 12, I drove them to Maison Smith at Parc du Mont-Royal after breakfast and as I pulled into the parking lot, Leo suffered an unexpected cardiac arrest while seated in the car. I called 911 and got the assistance of an employee from Maison Smith that knew CPR and had a defibrillator. The firefighters and ambulance arrived on the scene and the paramedics continued CPR until Leo was resuscitated. This was a terrifying moment for the four of us to witness and we were scared as we watched this traumatic event unfold before our eyes. Leo was then rushed to Jewish General Hospital in Montreal, where he was admitted to the ICU. He remained in ICU until July 27 and was then moved to the cardiac unit until he was discharged on August 4.

Transportation from Montreal, Canada to Goa, India

Our intention was to transport Leo back to India after the first week in hospital when the doctors in Montreal had cleared him for travel. We were advised of two primary options - air ambulance services or medical escort services.

1. Air ambulance services: This is a small chartered plane that includes two medical team members to care for the patient during the flight. We received 5 quotes ranging from $250,000 to $450,000 CAD.

2. Medical Escort services: The patient is transported on a commercial airline with two medical team members to care for the patient during the flight. In this case, a few rows of seats are removed or folded to accommodate a stretcher and medical equipment. We received quotes ranging from $67,000 to $90,000 CAD.

Since the quotes we received for air ambulance services were prohibitively expensive, we first explored medical escort services. I had checked with the insurer and was advised that medical evacuation costs were covered in the policy. We had hoped that the policy would reimburse these costs.

Unfortunately, we ran into obstacles and had difficulties getting approval to fly on a commercial airline. Several airlines turned down our application due to Leo’s heart condition. Every rejection and delay hit us hard. This was especially nerve-wracking with medical bills mounting as we continued to wait at the hospital day after day. The ICU bed rate was $12,554 per day and the Cardiac Unit bed rate was $4,586 per day. By the time we were able to secure a flight to India on August 4, Leo had already been at the hospital for 23 days and had exceeded his travel insurance policy coverage.

On August 4, with my uncle on a stretcher, I accompanied my aunt Lourdes and we flew from Montreal via Istanbul and Mumbai to arrive in Goa. We were escorted by a flight doctor and a flight nurse for the entire trip. It was a long and emotional journey but we transported Leo safely to India.

Travel Insurance

Leo did have a travel insurance policy for the equivalent of $135,000 CAD. After nearly 6 weeks back and forth with the insurer sending emails, making calls, sending forms and documents, they advised us on August 21, 2024, that Leo will not be reimbursed for any expenses under the exclusion of pre-existing conditions. Even though Leo did not have a cardiac event in the last 15 years, the fact that Leo has coronary artery disease and had two stents installed in 2008 counts as a pre-existing condition.

This news was very upsetting for the family when we are already dealing with an extremely difficult and stressful situation. We have appealed this decision with the insurer but have now decided to reach out to family and friends for financial support.

How Your Funds Will Be Used

Your contribution will help us cover the following expenses:

Any funds over and above our fundraising goal will help cover other costs and ongoing care for Leo:

Leo’s Progress and Current Medical Condition

For the first 3 days in the ICU, Leo was comatose and intubated. By Day 4, Leo opened his eyes but did not show awareness or recognition. The neurologist requested an MRI and EEG which unfortunately showed brain damage due to the brain being starved of oxygen during the cardiac arrest. We were advised that he was in a non-persistent vegetative state since he was unaware and unresponsive. This was very hard news to hear and another devastating blow to the family. By week 2 and 3 in Canada, Leo showed improvement by moving his mouth and slight head movements. But in week 4, he was not as responsive after his arrival in Goa. However, he has shown improvement over the past 2 weeks.

Leo is currently at home in Goa with a 24-hour nurse since August 9, 2024. He is breathing on his own and his heart is beating on its own. There is an oxygen concentrator as a backup whenever his oxygen levels dip. He had a tracheostomy in Montreal to manage secretions. He was also fitted with a PEG feeding tube (stomach port) for food and medications. He is fed a liquid diet by the nurse every 2 hours from 6 am to midnight. His position in the bed is moved every 2 hours to prevent bedsores.

Overall, Leo has demonstrated slow but gradual improvement – eyes opening, ability to track movement with his eyes, responding to name cues, movements of the head, arm and shoulders. These are encouraging signs but his road to recovery is a long one and he will need support throughout this journey.

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Caring for Leo is a full-time job for his loving wife Lourdes. She has done an amazing job and has kept a brave face throughout this ordeal. Your financial support can make a huge difference for the family’s growing medical bills, no matter how small the contribution may be. Please consider contributing and sharing with others who might be in a position to help. If you are unable to contribute financially at this time, you can contribute by keeping Leo in your thoughts and prayers for a quick recovery.

With gratitude,

Denise (the niece)